Taylor century blows Pakistan away

Ross Taylor overcame an initial struggle and two dropped catches to launch an assault so brutal that Pakistan were rendered defenseless even as New Zealand blazed past 300. In the last six overs, Taylor broke free with unprecedented violence, taking 28 off a Shoaib Akhtar over before plundering 30 off one from Abdul Razzaq. It began to rain sixes and fours and Pakistan's helplessness was startling as New Zealand plundered 92 off the last 24 deliveries to reach 302.

In the 47th over, Taylor savaged Shoaib's wide deliveries, length balls and full tosses through cover point and over the deep-midwicket boundary. Shoaib was outdone by in the 49th over by Razzaq, whose medium-pace at poor length was meat and drink to a marauding Taylor. Fielders looked on helplessly, Shahid Afridi tore his hair out metaphorically and Taylor continued to batter a ragged Pakistan. He added 35 in 3.5 overs with Nathan McCullum and then 85 in 3.4 overs with Jacob Oram.

Taylor, on his 27th birthday, had earlier received two enormous gifts. Before he had scored, he edged a Shoaib delivery. Kamran Akmal moved towards his right, then stopped and looked expectantly at first slip, where Younis Khan was in shock as the ball sped between them to the boundary. Two balls later Taylor edged again, this time the simplest of chances straight to Akmal, and survived again. In between those deliveries, Taylor had slashed to the point boundary.

Taylor, whose early struggle was substantial by normal standards, slowly grew in confidence. Then Pakistan went to pieces and, though he shoudn't have been, Taylor was there to hurt them. He finished unbeaten on 131 off 124 balls. The day's ironic moment came when Akmal edged to slip and watched Taylor take a low catch without even the faintest fumble.