Pakistan thrash Kiwis in Sharjah

Scott Styris bowled an inspired spell for New Zealand

Sharjah Cup, match three: New Zealand 237-8 lose to Pakistan 288-6 by 51 runs

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New Zealand have been comfortably beaten by Pakistan with all teams in the three nations tournament now on four points after two matches.

Pakistan almost went to the top of the tree, but the Kiwis just saved the bonus point in the penultimate over.

New Zealand were always likely to struggle attempting to reach such a huge target.

Chris Nevin and Nathan Astle put on 32 for the first wicket, but Astle's dismissal to Wasim Akram for 12 in the fifth over heralded a difficult period for the Kiwis.

Double strike

Matt Sinclair fell to Waqar Younis for a duck before Shoaib Akhtar had Nevin caught by Waqar for a 57-ball innings of 40.

That made it 65-3 at the end of the 14th over, and the required run rate was mounting.

Fifties for Chris Harris and Craig McMillan gave New Zealand an outside chance, but it was no contest once they were out.

Waqar finished with 3-49.

Pakistan had successfully coped with a mini middle-order crisis when Scott Styris took four wickets to set a healthy total in the third game of this triangular tournament.

Difficult task

And 15 runs came off the final over bowled by McMillan.

The tournament favourites went from 98 without loss to 146-4 as all-rounder Styris collected impressive figures of 4-30 in a single 10-over spell.

He was introduced to the attack after Shahid Afridi had smashed three sixes in a quickfire half century as Pakistan made an flying start after winning the toss.

Roof of the stand

Afridi brought up his fifty by lofting Jacob Oram onto the roof of the stand at mid-wicket but New Zealand then hit back as Styris took his first two wickets in one over.

Afridi went for one big shot too many in as he stepped away to leg and was bowled for 55.

Afridi's exhilarating innings comes to an end

All-rounder Abdur Razzaq was sent out at number three, but his innings lasted two balls as he was superbly caught for nought by diving wicket-keeper Nevin.

When Styris dismissed Nazir - again well caught by Nevin for a rapid 47- the game was finely balanced.

But Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan put on 105 for the fifth wicket - both men scoring half-centuries to tilt the game in favour of Pakistan.

Both men were out in the closing stages - Inzamam was Pakistan's top scorer with 68, while Younis matched Afridi's 56.

A typical Wasim cameo at the death - 28 off 16 balls - took them to a very respectable score.

Fleming injury

Pakistan named an unchanged line-up, but New Zealand were forced to make one highly significant change with captain Stephen Fleming unable to play because of injury.

Fleming bruised the little finger of his right hand while fielding in Tuesday's game against Sri Lanka and decided not to risk further damage.

McMillan took charge of the team in Fleming's absence.

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New Zealand: Craig McMillan (captain), Nathan Astle, Chris Nevin, Matt Horne, Scott Styris, Chris Harris, Matthew Sinclair, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey, Ian Butler.

Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar.