Pakistan face exit after one-run loss to Kiwis
Monday, 10 May 2010
BRIDGETOWN, May 9 (AFP): Defending champions Pakistan were on the brink of elimination from the World Twenty20 after losing to New Zealand by just one run in a last-ball thriller here Saturday.
Recalled New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler, entrusted with the last over, took an impressive three wickets for 19 runs as opener Salman Butt, who finished on 67 not out, so nearly saw Pakistan home after a top-order collapse.
Pakistan, chasing 134 to win, finished on 132 for seven in reply to the 133 for seven New Zealand made after losing the toss.
"We just hung in there, and thankfully it went our way. One of the biggest games I have played for New Zealand," said man-of-the-match Butler after his first game of the tournament.
New Zealand found life tough against Pakistan's spinners and Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori said: "We kept ourselves in it with a spirited bowling performance. We kept attacking and it worked for us."
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi sportingly added: "It was a great game of cricket, we all enjoyed. Salman Butt played a mature innings.
s
Pakistan began the final over, bowled by Butler, needing 11 to win.
Left-hander Butt couldn't make contact with the first ball but slashed the second down to third man for four.
He also missed the third delivery before crashing the fourth through point for another boundary.
Off the fifth ball, Pakistan ran a bye.
That meant left-armer Rehman, who'd earlier taken two wickets for just 19 runs in his first Twenty20 international for nearly three years, was on strike with two needed off the final ball.
Rehman made good contact as he swung at a legside delivery from Butler but the ball flew straight to Martin Guptill and New Zealand had won.
Recalled New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler, entrusted with the last over, took an impressive three wickets for 19 runs as opener Salman Butt, who finished on 67 not out, so nearly saw Pakistan home after a top-order collapse.
Pakistan, chasing 134 to win, finished on 132 for seven in reply to the 133 for seven New Zealand made after losing the toss.
"We just hung in there, and thankfully it went our way. One of the biggest games I have played for New Zealand," said man-of-the-match Butler after his first game of the tournament.
New Zealand found life tough against Pakistan's spinners and Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori said: "We kept ourselves in it with a spirited bowling performance. We kept attacking and it worked for us."
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi sportingly added: "It was a great game of cricket, we all enjoyed. Salman Butt played a mature innings.
s
Pakistan began the final over, bowled by Butler, needing 11 to win.
Left-hander Butt couldn't make contact with the first ball but slashed the second down to third man for four.
He also missed the third delivery before crashing the fourth through point for another boundary.
Off the fifth ball, Pakistan ran a bye.
That meant left-armer Rehman, who'd earlier taken two wickets for just 19 runs in his first Twenty20 international for nearly three years, was on strike with two needed off the final ball.
Rehman made good contact as he swung at a legside delivery from Butler but the ball flew straight to Martin Guptill and New Zealand had won.