New Zealand have won! Short on middle, goes for the pull, gets a top edge and Mills running in from fine leg takes a well-judged catch amid all the nerves and pressure
New Zealand vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI at Abu Dhabi, Nov 09 2009 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
3rd ODI (D/N), Abu Dhabi, November 09, 2009, Pakistan v New Zealand ODI Series
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Great to see the New Zealanders applauding Aamer and Ajmal. Pakistan were down and out when these two got together, but they've given New Zealand a real scare with that valiant tenth-wicket stand. Yes New Zealand fought hard, but Pakistan's batsmen, thanks to some shoddy shot-making, made a meal out of a modest target. Though the pitch was taking turn and helping the slow bowlers, it certainly wasn't one deserving of nine wickets falling for 54, which is exactly what Pakistan managed to achieve. Their No. 10 and 11 showed how to battle the conditions, taking the game to a nerve-wracking finish. The first two games were one-sided, but this one, in the end, lived up as a fitting finale. New Zealand take the series 2-1 and we now await the Twenty20 leg of the contests between the two teams. We'll get you the presentation details in a bit.
Aamer and Ajmal's stand is the second-highest overall for the tenth wicket in ODIs.
Mohammad Aamer is the Man of the Match for his fighting effort
Aamer: "I tried hard for my team. I would have been happier had we won this game. I was just telling Ajmal to just pinch singles, but we are sad to be on the losing side. We tried our best to win this."
Brendon McCullum is the Man of the Series. A half-century following up on his century in the previous game.
McCullum: "It was nice to have played a central role in the team's success. I was trying to get another start and make a sizable total. I had missed out on some big scores and was under pressure coming into this series. The last 30-40 runs, we felt the game was slipping away from us. They put in a great effort."
Younis: "We couldn't do it in the end. There were no big innings from the top of the order, and we couldn't build too many partnerships. But to see Aamer and Ajmal, the youngsters, play so well was great."
The crowd was jeering as Younis came over to speak.
Vettori: "We would have liked to finish it off a lot earlier. Ajmal and Aamer showed a lot of determination. But in the end, to defend 212 is an amazing effort. We made some incremental improvements, we put in some great fielding performances. McCullum played well, and was supported well by Redmond and Guptill. Wickets were most important and we wanted out bowlers to lead from the front. There is a lot of pressure on us to come away and win a series, and this win shows we are a quality side."
It's been a pleasure bringing you the coverage of the ODI series. Thanks for tuning in and sending us your feedback. Do join us again for the Twenty20 games starting in Dubai on November 12. Until then, on behalf of everyone at Cricinfo, this is Sid Talya signing off. Adios! Be well!
49.1
W
Oram to Ajmal, OUT
Saeed Ajmal c Mills b Oram 33 (44b 2x4 0x6 71m) SR: 75
Phew, it all comes down to this. 8 needed off 6 balls. Oram to bowl. This stand is worth 103. Here we go
end of over 495 runs
PAK: 204/9CRR: 4.16 • RRR: 8.00
Saeed Ajmal33 (43b 2x4)
Mohammad Amir73 (81b 7x4 3x6)
Kyle Mills 10-1-62-1
Shane Bond 10-1-46-1
48.6
1
Mills to Ajmal, 1 run
falls safe, brave shot from Ajmal, short outside off,went for the pull, miscued it but it landed safely between square leg and the converging fine leg
48.5
1
Mills to Amir, 1 run
chops it down towards point, a misfield there by the usually calm Guptill, the pressure is getting to everyone
Some words exchanged between players here
48.4
•
Mills to Amir, no run
appeal for caught-behind, huge appeal, short of a good length on the off, cuts away, tries to guide it to third man, it goes through to the keeper, replays are not conclusive, spontaneous appeal but the replays didn't reveal much
48.3
1
Mills to Ajmal, 1 run
short on middle, pulled away down to deep square leg for one more
48.2
1
Mills to Amir, 1 run
short and wide, cut away to point, another single stolen, an attempt at a direct hit at the stumps but a wayward throw
48.1
1
Mills to Ajmal, 1 run
short of a length outside off, guides it down to third man for a single
13 off 12 now. Irrespective of the result, this is among the great fightbacks in ODI cricket. Ajmal to face Mills
end of over 485 runs
PAK: 199/9CRR: 4.14 • RRR: 6.50
Mohammad Amir71 (78b 7x4 3x6)
Saeed Ajmal30 (40b 2x4)
Shane Bond 10-1-46-1
Kyle Mills 9-1-57-1
47.6
•
Bond to Amir, no run
bouncer on middle and off, Aamer backs away from it, New Zealand earn a dot ball
47.5
•
Bond to Amir, no run
short and wide, there to hit, he goes for the cut but finds Ross Taylor at point
47.4
1
Bond to Ajmal, 1 run
they're doing it easily, tickled down to fine leg for a single
47.3
1
Bond to Amir, 1 run
slower one bowled on a good length on the off, defended into the off side and they squeeze a single
15 needed off 16. The umpires are considering a ball change. The messengers come out with the drinks.
47.2
1
Bond to Ajmal, 1 run
thick outside edge as he tries to work it into the leg side, one more towards deep point
47.1
2
Bond to Ajmal, 2 runs
short of a length on the off, guided wide of third man from the crease for a couple of runs
This is riveting stuff. A run-a-ball from here on.
end of over 477 runs
PAK: 194/9CRR: 4.12 • RRR: 6.00
Saeed Ajmal26 (37b 2x4)
Mohammad Amir70 (75b 7x4 3x6)
Kyle Mills 9-1-57-1
Shane Bond 9-1-41-1
46.6
1
Mills to Ajmal, 1 run
bowled full on the off, eased wide of cover and point for a single to keep the strike
46.5
2
Mills to Ajmal, 2 runs
two more, full on the pads, clipped away through square leg for a couple of runs, Southee runs across from fine leg and cuts it off
46.4
1
Mills to Amir, 1 run
run-out attempt, short on leg stump, tries to work it square, clips the pads and they decide to scamper a leg bye, Ajmal just made it as Mills tried to kick the ball onto the stumps
46.3
1
Mills to Ajmal, 1 run
outside edge down to third man, doesn't matter how they come
46.2
1
Mills to Amir, 1 run
bowled on a good length on the off, pushed down towards extra cover for a single
46.1
1
Mills to Ajmal, 1 run
he's looking extremely confident here is Ajmal, flicks it down to deep square leg for a single
25 needed off 24. Mills to bowl
end of over 468 runs
PAK: 187/9CRR: 4.06 • RRR: 6.25
Saeed Ajmal21 (33b 2x4)
Mohammad Amir68 (73b 7x4 3x6)
Shane Bond 9-1-41-1
Jacob Oram 9-2-20-2
45.6
1
Bond to Ajmal, 1 run
in the blockhole outside off, squeezed out behind point for a single
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