New Zealand beat Pakistan in Cup warm-up

New Zealand gave itself a boost yesterday when taking a 29-run win from Pakistan in their ICC Under-19 World Cup warm-up game at Lincoln.

After all the frustrations with New Zealand's poor summer weather, both sides were just happy to get some cricket.

New Zealand batted first and scored 233/8 with Jesse Ryder scoring 74 off 67 balls as New Zealand scored 81/1 in the first 15 overs.

In the next 24 overs, however, the side struggled while losing four wickets for 84, including two run outs. But then the lower-order responded by scoring 70 runs off the last 10 overs.

Coach Mark Greatbatch said the side's feeling before the game was that it should have been looking to score between 260/270 runs.

While Pakistan opening batsman Salman Butt scored 56, his was the only innings that really troubled the New Zealand bowlers. The only other innings of consequence was 38 not out by No 9 batsman Arslan Mir as Pakistan were dismissed for 204 in 47.1 overs.

Rob Nicol took three for 44 from his 10 overs, Ian Robertson two for 36 off 37 and Peter Borren one for 20 off 8.1 overs.