New Zealand v Pakistan, 2000-01
At Dunedin, February 28 (day/night)
15-Apr-2002
At Dunedin, February 28 (day/night). New Zealand won by four wickets. Toss: Pakistan.
Pakistani minds seemed to be anywhere but in the middle as they surrendered the series 3-2. Their batsmen were heading for more than 300 until the last four fell in nine balls. Astle and Fleming then plundered an opening stand of 193 in 33 overs, an all-wicket limited-overs record for New Zealand. Astle struck a belligerent ninth one-day century, hitting 21 fours in 116 balls, and Fleming finally flourished as an opener. Wayward fielding allowed them three lives, two from straightforward chances to Shoaib Akhtar, whose return to the side after injury had very mixed results. Clocked at 151 kph (93 mph), he limped off soon afterwards, only to come back in the closing stages, bowl off a shortened run-up and take two wickets in two balls as New Zealand's charge stumbled. Oram, however, hit him for the winning six. Shoaib flew home, citing injury, but the umpires were already reporting his controversial bowling action to the ICC.
Pakistani minds seemed to be anywhere but in the middle as they surrendered the series 3-2. Their batsmen were heading for more than 300 until the last four fell in nine balls. Astle and Fleming then plundered an opening stand of 193 in 33 overs, an all-wicket limited-overs record for New Zealand. Astle struck a belligerent ninth one-day century, hitting 21 fours in 116 balls, and Fleming finally flourished as an opener. Wayward fielding allowed them three lives, two from straightforward chances to Shoaib Akhtar, whose return to the side after injury had very mixed results. Clocked at 151 kph (93 mph), he limped off soon afterwards, only to come back in the closing stages, bowl off a shortened run-up and take two wickets in two balls as New Zealand's charge stumbled. Oram, however, hit him for the winning six. Shoaib flew home, citing injury, but the umpires were already reporting his controversial bowling action to the ICC.
Man of the Match: N. J. Astle.