Pakistan Thrash New Zealand In Third Twenty20

Pakistan Thrash New Zealand In Third Twenty20

Shahid Afridi (left) took four wickets as he led his side to a crushing victory

©REUTERS/Nikhil Monteiro (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Pakistan 183-6 (Ahmed Shehzad 54) beat
New Zealand 80 (Shahid Afridi 4-14) by 103 runs
Third Twenty20 International, Christchurch
Scorecard

Pakistan produced a stunning performance to thrash New Zealand by 103 runs in the third and final Twenty20 International between the two sides in Christchurch.

The largest margin of victory between two Test-playing nations in Twenty20 cricket was set up after they scored 183 for six and then dismissed the home side for just 80.

Ahmed Shehzad made 54 in 34 balls from the top of the order and he was ably supported by Mohammad Hafeez, who made 34.

Towards the end of Pakistan's innings, Umar Akmal blasted 30 in 19 deliveries and Abdul Razzaq an unbeaten 34 in 11 balls as the New Zealand bowlers were given a torrid time.

It was then their batsmens' turn to struggle as the top four failed to register a run - Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie and Ross Taylor all departing for ducks and James Franklin falling for three as New Zealand slipped to 11 for five.

Scott Styris smashed his way to 45 in 34 balls but he was the only player to reach double figures on what was an odd scorecard - indeed Nathan McCullum hit the next best score of just eight.

Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi returned four for 14 as he ripped through the lower order while Razzaq earnt the man-of-the-match award by taking three for 13 in his four overs.

New Zealand's innings - their lowest in Twenty20 International cricket - lasted just 15.5 overs.

They did, however, claim the series 2-1, following comprehensive victories in Auckland and Hamilton.

The two sides now meet for three Test matches, the first of which begins in Hamilton on 7th January.

© Cricket World 2010