Feeble New Zealand sink to 49-run defeat

Pakistan lived up to their reputation as the World Champions by recording a 49-runs victory over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 Cool & Cool Cup match at the Dubai Sports City cricket stadium. Pakistan posted 161 for 8 after being put into bat by New Zealand. Opener Imran Nazir cracked a brilliant 58 off 38 balls with five boundaries and four sixers to provide Pakistan an electrifying start. New Zealand were bowled out for 112 runs in 18.3 overs. Before the start of play, New Zealand was reduced to just eleven players after their skipper Daniel Vettori too joined the injury list. Kyle Mills and James Franklin are already injured and Jacob Oram had left for New Zealand for the birth of his first baby. Brendon McCullum captained the team. So pathetic was New Zealands condition that they had to go into the match with two UAE players Naeemudin and Vikrant Shetty as substitutes. The difference between the two teams was the top-order batting. The worms couldn't have looked more different after two overs: Pakistan were 3 for 0, New Zealand were 29 for 1. After seven, it read: Pakistan 53 for 1, New Zealand 44 for 4. Pakistan kept their wickets intact till the 12th over which enabled them to overcome a middle-order collapse and keep the runs flowing. New Zealand, on the other hand, lost four quick wickets, leaving the lower order to flail against the spinners. New Zealand were bowled out for 112 runs in 18.3 overs.