Story Pakistan:- Agony & Ecstasy - ICC World T20 2009 [Day 5, Game 7]

[Dr. Pepper]

Great update Sunny, really in depth analysis. Really surprising decision from New Zealand, I definitely expect a Pakistan win now.

 

[thesweepmaster]

Superb update mate, a great read and good graphics. I expect an easy victory for Pakistan.

Great work mate, keep it up!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Great update Arslaan . Great graphics and superb presentation

 

[khalek]

Balanced teams for both sides, lets see who wins it!

 

[ansariaamir_leo]

Pakistan should get a big score on this flat track...
It was really surprising decision from Vettori...

 

[Pakistani Army]

Sharjah Cup
New Zealand vs Pakistan
Live from Sharjah

Openers off to a Flying Start
(Malik in Top-Form)​

Knowing they were fielding first, Danial Vettori and the New Zealand fielders started warming-up. Vettori knew he had to get the Kiwis off to a good start and pick up wickets. Openers Imran Nazir and Vice-Captain Shoaib Malik strode out to the middle. Nazir would be looking to be the aggressor whilst Malik opening the batting for the first time since three years would look to keep it steady.

Umpire Taufal called play as Chris Martin opened the bowling from the Pavilion End. Martin brought in as a replacement for the injured Gillespie was getting plenty of movement on and off the pitch getting a maiden in his opening over. However, Kyle Mills was struggling a bit at the other end. Bowling to full and outside Off-Stump, Imran got Pakistan off the mark with a boundary.

The plan for Pakistan was to play it safe against Martin who was getting Bounce, Seam and Swing and to play against Mills. Imran and Malik were struggling to pick up Martin but then Mills started to adjust his line and length. Whilst doing this he was getting some swing and now Pakistan were facing two pacers swinging the ball and getting lift. After the 5 over mark Pakistan had just reached 11/0. Imran and Malik got together and had a breif chat. Whatever that chat might have been it was smash bang wallop from then on.

Imran and especially Vice-Captain Malik started counter-acting the swing by coming forward and smashing it through the Off and Leg side. Despite Martin's efforts the pressure had been thrown out of the window as Mills gave away 17 runs in the 8th over which got Pakistan to 50/0 from 8 overs.

Nazir was now playing the supporting role whilst Malik had become the aggressor. Imran and Malik had took 48 off the last 5 overs and at this stage the game is evenly poised.

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Pakistan :- 59/0 (10)
*Malik 36 (33) 4 Fours 1 Six
*Imran 17(29) 2 Fours

C.Martin 5-1-26-0
K.Mills 5-0-32-0

 

[bladescape]

Go Vettori and Malik,I'm just going to forget about the other players!

 

[khalek]

Great start from Pakistan openers, they need to go on and play like this till the end...

Great presentation Arslaan...

 

[ansariaamir_leo]

Awesome change in gears... New Zealand have to pick up a wicket or two within the next 5 overs or these two may just get it away from the Kiwis...

 

[Amiya]

Good start by Pakistani's batsman... KUTGW...

 

[Ayub 95]

WOW great presentation good start by Pakistani Openers KUTGW

 

[treva]

Fantastic start by the openers. Looks a flat wicket and another 300+ score could be on here. NZ will have their work cut out in these 50 overs.

Great work Arslaan!

 

[Jaztheman]

Very good start from the Pakistani Openers. Big big score here is on the cards. The bowlers have their work cut out.

Great stuff Arslaan.

 

[Insomniac]

New Zealand bowlers had done very well to contain Pakistan for just 11 in 5 overs.

They must've bowled badly to let Pakistan get 48 in the next 5 overs

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Thats a very good start to Pakistan's batting. 48 in 5 overs That just sucks

Nice stuff! KUTGW!