Shoaib Akhtar sends
Kiwis crashing

Shoaib Akhtar became the second fastest bowler to take 100 wickets in one-day internationals as he led Pakistan to a crushing 153-run victory over New Zealand on Sunday.

The paceman popularly known as the "Rawalpindi Express" produced a career-best return of six for 16, after coming on to bowl in the 14th over, to dismiss New Zealand for just 122 runs in 30 overs.

Earlier, Yousuf Youhana scored his second hundred in five days to power Pakistan to a commanding total of 275 for six in the first one-day international of three against New Zealand.

Akhtar, bowling in front of a near full house, defied hot conditions to produce the 10th best figures in one-day internationals after reaching the career milestone of 100 wickets in his 60th match.

He became the second fastest to the three-figure mark after his captain Waqar Younis, who took his 100 wickets in 59 matches.

It was the second time in a year that Akhtar had ripped through the New Zealand batting in a one-day game, following his five for 19 at Auckland.

The visitors had got off to a promising start when Nathan Astle (25) and Matthew Horne (22) put on 53 in nine overs but all 10 wickets then crashed for the further addition of just 69 runs.

SIGNIFICANT RESISTANCE

Akhtar claimed three wickets in nine balls as New Zealand slumped to six for 77 by the 18th over and Chris Harris (17) and Daryl Tuffey (18) were the only other batsmen to offer any significant resistance.

The Pakistan paceman removed stand-in New Zealand skipper Craig McMillan for eight with a fast bouncer on the final ball of his first over and then clean-bowled Jacob Oram for a duck in his next over.

Debutant Robbie Hart became wicket number three, caught behind for no score as he tried to avoid a short-pitched delivery, and Akhtar wrapped up the tail by removing Andre Adams (2), Brooke Walker (8) and Ian Butler (0).

Earlier, the Pakistan innings revolved around Youhana who, fresh from his 129 in the Sharjah Cup final against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, stroked his way to a classy 125 from 155 balls.

He reached his sixth one-day hundred and his third this year in 12 matches, despite batting with a runner after aggravating a groin problem.

Youhana had hit 14 fours and a six, a superb strike over long on off leg-spinner Brooke Walker, when he was finally dismissed caught at deep cover by Walker in the 48th over when trying to slog Oram.

The 27-year-old drove the second ball of the 43rd over by McMillan for a single to reach his century from 138 balls with 10 fours and one six.

EXCELLENT SUPPORT

Youhana received excellent support from Younis Khan (69) in a fourth-wicket stand of 161 from 192 balls after New Zealand had dismissed openers Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir in the third over.

Playing without skipper Stephen Fleming, who has a stomach bug, New Zealand had Pakistan struggling on 59 for three after 15 overs when the home side also lost Inzamam-ul-Haq in the 13th over.

Youhana and Younis steadied the innings with their second successive century partnership after the Sharjah final, as McMillan used eight bowlers in the energy-sapping humid conditions on a perfect batting wicket.

Youhana looked in majestic from the moment he walked in to bat in the third over, having watched the openers fall with the total on 15. He opened up after reaching 50 from 86 balls, picking up the scoring rate with Younis after the 100 came up in the 25th over.

Pakistan added 118 runs from the last 15 overs, Youhana and Abdur Razzaq adding 37 runs in 26 balls.

Razzaq smashed a quickfire 30 including two sixes.

The victory was Pakistan's third over New Zealand this month after their two wins in the recent Sharjah Cup.

Mail Cricket Editor