Kiwis upset Pak, enter ICC final
Nairobi, Oct 11: New Zealand played with guts and determination to upset Pakistan and enter the final of the ICC Cup here today. They overhauled the target of 253 by four wickets with one over to spare.
In a cliff hanger of a match, Craig Mcmillan and Scott Styris put on an amazing display of grit and fighting cricket to keep the Pakistan bowlers including Wasim Akram at bay. Needing two runs for a win, Styris hit a four off Akram's last ball.
The two put on an unbelievable 68 in 67 balls and never lost an opportunity to score. The Pakistan fielding wilted as they came under pressure and Moin Khan's fulminations seemed to demoralise his team.
Mcmillan scored 51 in 56 balls and the unfancied Styris 28 in 31 balls with a huge six off Arshad Khan. Styris exhibited terrific temperament in standing up to Akram, who cows down the best of batsmen.
In fact, the fact of Akram going wicketless might have something significant to do with Pakistan's loss today. Perhaps Moin Khan could have brought him on earlier, when New Zealand was under severe pressure at 187 for 6.
Pakistan also missed Shahid Afridi, who could have brought some variation to the bowling with his leg spinners. Ironically, the most successful bowler wicket-wise, Azhar Mahmood, was also the man to gave away the maximum runs.
The result was a reverse of the World Cup semifinal when Pakistan thrashed Nw Zealand.
New Zealand seemed destined to win today. They had their share of luck with the Pakistanis failing to save several boundaries on the fence. They would run, dive, and then let the ball go through. There was also a crucial overthrow when Faisal, substituting for Saeed Anwar, threw too hard and wide to Moin Khan. The ball went for five overthrows.
Before the eight's wicket pair's effort, it was Roger Twose who brought New Zealand in sight of victory with a fine 87.
And, finally, perhaps Pakistan ought to have scored 30 runs more. Their batting certainly lacked application, particularly the experienced players Inzamam ul Haq and Ijaz Ahmed.
With several good batting contributions, the man of the match award went to Shayne O'Connor, who prevented the Pakistanis from scoring more in the slog overs. O'Connor took five for 46 runs.
New Zealand will now meet the winner of the second semi final between India and South Africa, tomorrow, on Oct 15.
