Abdul Razzaq’s return to international cricket marked a return to form for Pakistan, as they easily got rid of New Zealand by six wickets in the Super Eights game of the ICC World T20. The win propelled Pakistan back into contention, whilst making the task for both New Zealand and Sri Lanka a little tougher.
The Kiwis batted first after winning the toss and Razzaq scripted a fairy-tale return to international cricket by picking a wicket – of Brendon McCullum – in the very first over that he bowled. There was no looking back for Pakistan after that as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals and it looked like the Kiwis would struggle to get to 140 when they were 55/4 in the tenth over. Little did they know that Umar Gul would be lurking the corner for them like a predator waiting for its prey.
Bowling after only 12 overs, Gul got the ball to reverse prodigiously and the awe-stuck Kiwi batsmen had no answer to that. Scott Styris and Peter McGlashan fell off successive deliveries, while Nathan McCullum and James Franklin were bowled by the quickie. Gul then returned to capture his fifth wicket of the inning by getting Kyle Milles caught as New Zealand folded for a paltry total of 99 in the 19th over.
The Pakistanis began well, and added 36 for the first wicket. Kamran Akmal had been joined by debutant Shahzaib Hasan – who had replaced the out-of-form Salman Butt – and the pair played aggressively to smash any outside hopes that the Kiwis may have entertained, but two wickets off successive deliveries, was followed by Shoaib Malik’s dismissal.
Gul was the obvious choice for the Man-of-the-Match award. And with this win, Pakistan has two points from two games, with a match against Ireland left. The Kiwis also have the same number of points, but their final game is against Sri Lanka. A win for Pakistan and Kiwis in their last game, and a victory for Sri Lanka in their match against Ireland will see a three-way tie between the trio!