Nazir underpins Pakistan triumph

Imran Nazir's pugnacious 58 propelled Pakistan to a 49-run victory in the first of two Twenty20s against New Zealand

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A half-century from Imran Nazir helped Pakistan trounce New Zealand by 49 runs in the first of two Twenty20 internationals in as many days in Dubai.

Opener Nazir gave Pakistan a superb start with 58 off 38 deliveries, and Shahid Afridi hit 24 off 16, but they fell away before Abdul Razzaq’s 26 not out carried them to a total of 161 for eight.

However, that was more than enough as Afridi and Razzaq capped all-round performances by claiming two wickets apiece to help bowl New Zealand out for a mere 112 in 18.3 overs.

Nazir survived a considerably testing first over from Shane Bond with the new ball – he was hit in the ribs first up – but built a solid platform.

Ian Butler bore the brunt as Nazir launched his attack with consecutive sixes, the seamer conceding 42 from three overs.

Nazir, who had lost both Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal early, caught off Tim Southee and Scott Styris respectively, reached his second Twenty20 half-century with a maximum off Nathan McCullum, and put on 36 in quick time for the third wicket with Afridi.

Paceman Bond, easily the pick of the Black Cap bowlers, returned to have Nazir caught at third man by Aaron Redmond, and the occasional leg-spinner dismissed Afridi in his first over thanks to Southee’s fine take at long-off as Pakistan’s innings unravelled.

New Zealand, missing captain Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram, suffered another blow with Redmond pulling up in the middle of his third over with a groin strain, having caught and bowled Shoaib Malik to give him a second wicket.

The Black Caps would have fancied their chances but struggled with the chase from the start.

Sohail Tanvir had Martin Guptill caught behind in his first over, but Mohammad Aamer inflicted greater damage, snaffling stand-in captain Brendon McCullum - held by Fawad Alam at backward point - and Ross Taylor - caught behind - to reduce the Kiwis to 34 for three.

Razzaq then had Styris and Neil Broom caught at deep-square-leg and third man respectively, and New Zealand slipped further when debutant Bradley-John Watling – the only batsman apart from Nathan McCullum to offer some resistance - was stumped off Saeed Ajmal. Both fell for 22.

McCullum’s departure, caught by Umar Gul at long-on to give Ajmal his second victim, shortly after signalled the end as Southee perished and Redmond was unable to bat.