 The second match of the three game ODI series between Pakistan and New
Zealand will be played in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan will go into the game with a 1-0
score line in their favour, but more importantly, with their confidence sky-high
from their huge win in the first game.
It cannot get worse for New Zealand. The Pakistanis had managed to score
287 on a track where 200 looked to be a match winning total, and despite being
0/2 at one stage. The bowling continued to wear thin as the game progressed,
and in the end, even a Shane Bond was taken for plenty of runs by the Pakistani
lower order. Shahid Afridi regained his batting form, something that
has been quite a rare occurrence in recent times. In fact, not only did he bat
in his usual boom-boom manner, he was also circumspect when needed and managed
to smash a 50-ball 70.
Click for Live Score Card of Pakistan vs New Zealand
However, even more surprising was the fact that Kamran Akmal came into
bat lower down the order - from his now customary position at the top of the
order - and yet smash away to an Afridi-like innings.
The bowling did not have much to do after the target had been bloated to 288,
and the initial haul of three wickets had been taken. From then on, the match
was all over bar the shouting as it was evident that batting against the spinners
would get progressively for the Kiwis and that meant that the tourists were
thoroughly outplayed.
It will now remain to be seen how the tourists will bounce back. They do have
the capacity to do so, but whether they can sustain it over a period of 100
overs is a big enough question-mark. Brendon McCullum has failed as an
opener again, and in the absence of Jesse Ryder, they need him to carry the
attack to the opposition. Martin Guptill too needs to give a repeat performance
of his century-on-debut at his number three slot, while there is a strong enough
case for Daniel Vettori to promote himself up the order - probably even
bat at number five as he has been his side's best batsman for sometime now.
The Kiwis would also be hoping that their unfit men before the last game, James Franklin and Kyle Mills are fit to take field in this match and add solidity
to their bowling. Franklin, in fact, is an all-rounder and hence would be an
absolute must for them. Unfortunately, one does not see how will they overcome
the totally abysmal performance doled out in the previous game and level the
series.
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