NZ 'A' crush Pakistan by an innings and 54 runs

New Zealand A took just 27 balls on Monday to end Pakistan's feeble resistance and complete victory by an innings and 54 runs on the third and final day at Lincoln, near Christchurch.

Pakistan began the day 70 runs behind with six wickets in hand but five wickets tumbled for only 11 runs and the injured Saeed Anwar was unable to bat.

Andrew Penn began the rout with two wickets in his second over of the day, bowling Younis Khan for four and then inducing an edge from Mushtaq Ahmed first ball.

Chris Drum got in on the act in the next over by clean bowling Saqlain Mushtaq for five and Arshad Khan for nought.

Penn then wrapped up victory in his next over, having Mohammad Sami caught by Glen Sulzberger at first slip.

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad was philosophical about his side's heavy defeat.

"This team was all young and some have just arrived from Pakistan," Miandad said.

"And, for the others, the difference coming from one-day internationals meant they struggled.

"But this game was a warm-up only and we'll be right for the test (starting on Thursday in Auckland)."

Miandad added: "Everybody knows about Pakistan cricket. You remember the World Cup in 1992. We were playing badly but when we finally clicked we won the World Cup.

"There is no need to panic because when you panic you surrender. You will see what the team will do in the test match."

Drum and Penn did their test prospects no harm with four wickets apiece, and Drum picked up a total of eight in the match.

Leg-spinner Brooke Walker bowled only three overs in the game, claiming one wicket, but he could be called into the Auckland test team if Daniel Vettori does not shrug off his back problem.

Mail Cricket Editor