Turning Points

New Zealand v Pakistan, Champions Trophy, 2nd semi-final, Johannesburg

Cricinfo staff
03-Oct-2009
After Pakistan's top order had failed, Umar Akmal fought back with a free-spirited half-century. But just when he would have looked to open up and take the batting Powerplay he became a part of a 32-for-5 collapse thanks to a rare ordinary call from Simon Taufel, who ruled Akmal lbw despite a thick inside edge.
During the chase, with the run-rate slowly creeping past seven, and the batsmen struggling to stay abreast, Younis Khan dropped a dolly at cover from Grant Elliott. He was on 42 off 78 balls then, New Zealand required 69 from 64, and only one four and two sixes had been hit in the preceding 21 overs.
With five overs to go, New Zealand needed 28. With three of those overs to come from yorker specialist Umar Gul, the game could have still gone either way. Step in Elliott. First ball from Gul was slammed between covers for four, next was whipped to the long-on boundary, and the third into the crowd behind midwicket. As a contest, the match was over.