New Zealand crushed Pakistan by a huge margin of 110 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy today. Riding on birthday boy Ross Taylor's blazing 131 not out, Kiwis who decided to bat first after winning the toss got to an incredible total of 302 for 7. Pakistan fielded and bowled miserably to leak as many as 114 runs in the final six overs of the Kiwi innings! In their chase, Pakistan were in tatters at 102 for 7 but finished with a respectable 192 all out in 41.4 overs thanks to Abul Razzaq's 62 from 74 balls.
The Kiwis won by the huge margin despite the loss of Skipper Daniel Vettori who couldn't bowl a single ball due to a knee injury he picked up while trying to take a diving catch. Opening bowlers Kyle Mills and Tim Southee did significant damage with the new ball to ensure that Pakistan had no chance to win the match.
Early on, Ross Taylor who was given a life by Kamran Akmal when he had just arrived at the crease played perhaps the best knock of his life. Taylor powered the Kiwis from a modest 113 for 4 in the 30th over to 302 for 7! The dashing right hander smacked 8 fours and 7 sixes in his knock. The highlights of the Kiwi innings were the 47th over bowled by Shoaib Akhtar which was taken for 28 runs, the 49th over from Razzaq going for 30 runs and the final over from Abur Rehman costing 19 runs.
- BV Swagath
