(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Adversity always brings forth the best from the Pakistan team as they have the knack to emerge on top when the chips are down.
Pakistan's Haris Sohail celebrates his maiden half century as Shahid Afridi looks on during the first ODI against New Zealand. - AFP
Pakistan's Haris Sohail celebrates his maiden
half century as Shahid Afridi looks on. - AFP
This very fighting spirit was the dominant factor that was visible yet again as Shahid Afridi and Haris Sohail fashioned a superb revival to quell the Kiwi challenge a day after the setback over Mohammad Hafeez's suspension for illegal bowling action and eke out a thrilling three-wicket victory in the first match of the five-match one-day series at the Dubai Sports City stadium, here on Monday.
Sohail hit five fours and a six in his unbeaten 85 off 109 balls while Shahid Afridi scored a 51-ball 61 with seven boundaries and a six as they put on 110 runs for the seventh wicket to script perhaps the most amazing comeback in recent times to help Pakistan chase down a 247-run target in 49.3 overs after being 127-6 in the 30th over. The victory also helped Pakistan to end their disastrous run in the one-dayers where they had lost five on the trot before this incredible win.
Pakistan had showed remarkable ability to bounce back earlier this season when they had routed Australia in the Test series even in the absence of spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is serving suspension on illegal bowling action. Earlier, the Pakistan bowlers were on the mark as they restricted the Kiwis to 246-7 despite Ross Taylor's unbeaten century. However, the proceedings started on a completely different note for Pakistan when they started the run chase.
All the hard work of the bowlers had almost came to nought with some reckless batting by the Pakistani top order. And before they realised what had struck them, Pakistan were reeling at 40-3 in the 13th over. Hafeez (6) and Asad Shafiq (5) showed no spirit and gumption to stay at the crease giving New Zealand the ascendancy. And when Ahmed Shehzad, who had got his eye in, also departed, Pakistan were staring down the barrel. After being cowed down by Milne, Shehzad had found some rhythm in his innings as he quickly moved on to 21 of 26 balls with a flurry of boundaries before falling prey to Daniel Vettori for their third success.
Pakistan fell deeper into the abyss when Vettori again struck to get rid of Younis, who went for a sweep and the ball ending in the hands of Dean Brownlie at deep square-leg. Vettori was again in the thick of action, a stunning catch from him ending Misbah-ul Haq's innings on 13. The skipper's shot was going away from Vettori at mid-on, who ran backwards and stretched out his left-arm to clinch a blinder of a catch. Sarfraz Ahmed (26) started in bright fashion, hitting three boundaries, but his cameo came to a premature end, falling to McCullum after a 19-ball 26. His wicket had almost sealed Pakistan's hope before Afridi and Sohail pulled the team out of the woods and steered them to victory.
Earlier, a winning toss meant Pakistan had first use of the ball to put pressure on Kiwi openers. Put pressure they did. Pakistan's three-man pace attack - Mohammad Irfan, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz - stuck to a disciplined line and length, giving away just 19 runs off the first five overs. They bowled very straight to build the pressure on the rival batsman and that was clearly reflected as New Zealand openers Brownlie and Anton Devcich went for deliveries outside the line to get the run-rate going at this stage. They did not find success, but Irfan did. The Pakistani pacer first picked Brownlie, who went for a slash only to give a catch at point to Shehzad. He then got rid of Kane Williamson with a delivery that had extra bounce which ended in the wicket-keeper's hand.
Tom Latham (13) and James Neesham (1) left without making any impact, leaving the side tottering at 111 for 5 in the 29th over. Pakistan were a bowler short after including Hafeez purely as a batsman but with wickets falling at regular intervals, Kiwis were really in no position to exploit the weak link.
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