Pakistan beat New Zealand, Pakistan won by 6 wickets (with 41 balls remaining)

Vettori: Why they batted first? "I discussed with a few guys and we thought if we can get a good total, we can apply some pressure. They bowled really well, have a varied attack. we never got the momentum going. It's incredibly difficult to defend a total less than 100.

YOunis: It was a good toss to lose. I would have batted first. Razzaq gave us break through. Then Afridi and Gul. We chased int in 13 or 14 overs; it would help our run rate."

Man of the Match UMAR Gul: "It was a special day. We bowled the first six overs very well and took three wickets. Later on, captain told me to go for the wickets. We practice hard for the yorkers and slower ones. Aquib javed (bowling coach) helps and also the movies [Videos] of watching Wasim bhai and Waqar bhai."

When Pakistan play like this, they are such a delightful team to watch. Great for international cricket. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Till then, this is Sriram Veera, signing off. Alvida!

13.1

McCullum to Afridi, 2 runs

What a win for Pakistan. They rediscovered their flair and the tournament has come alive. It was floated full and outside off stump and Afridi went for the big slog sweep, top edged it high over midwicket. McCullum ran back and the deep midwicket fielder ran in and they collided as the ball landed between them. Both seem to be ok, though.

Over13

13 runs

PAK 98/4CRR: 7.53 RRR: 0.28

Younis Khan 6 (9b)Shahid Afridi 27 (17b 3x4)

JEC Franklin0/19 (2)

12.6

Franklin to Younis, 2 runs

moves towards off stump and flicks it past square leg for couple of runs. Just 2 more.

12.5

•

Franklin to Younis, no run

shuffles towards off stump and guides the full delivery to point. Just four runs away from victory.

12.4

Franklin to Afridi, 3 runs

full and again, well outside off, Afridi reaches out to slice it high over backward point

12.3

Franklin to Afridi, FOUR runs

Franklin tries a slower one and Afridi reads it early and dismisses it to extra-cover boundary. It was well outside off and he lashed it away

12.2

Franklin to Afridi, 2 runs

from round the stumps, full and outside off, Afridi reaches out to drive wide of long-off for two more runs

12.1

Franklin to Afridi, 2 runs

short and wide, Afridi reaches out, takes the bottom-hand off the handle so that he completes the arc and reaches the ball, cuts it wide of sweeper cover

Over12

4 runs

PAK 85/4CRR: 7.08 RRR: 1.87

Shahid Afridi 16 (13b 2x4)Younis Khan 4 (7b)

DL Vettori2/20 (4)

Vettori leaves the ground

11.6

Vettori to Afridi, 1 run

slower in the air, outside off stump, cut away to deep point

11.5

•

Vettori to Afridi, no run

the arm-ball curving in to the middle, Afridi picks it, goes back to defend it to the on side

11.4

Vettori to Younis, 1 run

lunges forward to tap it past square leg for a single

11.3

•

Vettori to Younis, no run

drifts towards middle stump, defended on the front foot

11.2

Vettori to Afridi, 1 run

lovely slow delivery, Afridi is upto the task, though, he waits before working it through wide mid-on

11.1

Vettori to Younis, 1 run

flighted on the middle and off, driven to long-off

Over11

8 runs

PAK 81/4CRR: 7.36 RRR: 2.11

Shahid Afridi 14 (10b 2x4)Younis Khan 2 (4b)

IG Butler0/22 (2)

10.6

Butler to Afridi, FOUR runs

Slower one attempted but it will be picked up from the wide midwicket boundary. Afiridi waited for it before he pulled it to the boundary

10.5

Butler to Younis, 1 run

full and straight, works to wide midwicket for a single

10.4

Butler to Afridi, 1 run

lunges out to drive hard past the non-striker, who ducks, and down to long-on

10.3

•

Butler to Afridi, no run

the bouncer on the middle stump and Afridi goes down under

10.2

•

Butler to Afridi, no run

low dipping full toss, pushed back to the bowler

10.1

Butler to Afridi, 2 runs

fullish, on the middle and leg, flicked to deep backward square-leg region

Over10

3 runs, 1 wicket

PAK 73/4CRR: 7.30 RRR: 2.70

Younis Khan 1 (3b)Shahid Afridi 7 (5b 1x4)

DL Vettori2/16 (3)

9.6

•

Vettori to Younis, no run

quicker one, on the middle and off, punched back to the bowler

New Zealand vs Pakistan, 18th Match, Group F at London, Jun 13 2009 - Match Result