Cricket: Pakistan set NZ 269 to win

Teenager Ahmed Shehzad announced himself on the international stage with a maiden hundred as Pakistan posted 268 for nine batting first in the fifth one-day cricket international against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton today. 

The 19-year-old from Lahore totalled 173 runs from his first seven matches but today delivered on the promise he had shown glimpses of throughout this series, scoring 115 from 109 balls and setting up a competitive total after the tourists were sent into bat this afternoon.

Shehzad's technique and style is easy on the eye and he mixed 12 boundaries with three glorious sixes, all off New Zealand's quickest bowler, Hamish Bennett, in a chanceless breakthrough innings.

When he was out, a good platform had been laid with Pakistan 197 for four in the 38th over, but New Zealand did well to restrict the tourists to 61 runs from the final 10 overs. They kept Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal in check and picked up regular wickets, conceding a respectable 39 runs from five power-play overs between the 44th and 48th overs.

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor was keen for his bowlers to make use of the overhead conditions, with overcast skies and high humidity levels conducive to swing bowling. While the hosts started well with the ball, they were unable to get any early movement or wickets, but Taylor would have been happy with their effort throughout the innings.

Kyle Mills, replacing the rested Tim Southee, started with two maidens and was unerringly accurate in a six-over first spell which yielded a wicket for the concession of just 15 runs. His bright start to the match continued when he ran out No 3 Kamran Akmal with a direct hit from short third man and although he conceded 21 runs from his final two overs, he was New Zealand's best with two for 42 from 10 overs.

Mills' opening partner was expensive, however, Bennett the chief victim of Shehzad's brilliant strokemaking. He ended with none for 56 from eight.

Offpsinner Nathan McCullum and medium-pacer Scott Styris both did a good job in the middle stages, McCullum taking one for 40 from 10 and Styris snaring two for 51 from nine. Jacob Oram conceded just 17 runs from his final four overs, three of which were in the power play, and ended with two for 49 from 10.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's regular skipper Daniel Vettori, who tweaked a hamstring while fielding in the two-wicket loss at Napier on Tuesday, did not recover in time to lead the hosts in a must-win match.

There was better news for opening batsman Jesse Ryder. He missed the Napier match with a bruised finger, sustained while playing in a domestic match for Wellington last Sunday, but came into the team for Kane Williamson and is expected to open the run chase alongside Martin Guptill.

Jamie How will bat at No 3, with Taylor dropping a spot to No 4.

Pakistan lead the six-match series 2-1 and victory tonight would wrap up the series ahead of the final match, at Auckland on Saturday.

 

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