Southee hat-trick helps Black Caps beat Pakistan in opening T20
By ANISunday, December 26, 2010
AUCKLAND - A hat-trick from fast bowler Tim Southee helped New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets in the opening Twenty20 international at Auckland’s Eden Park today.
Southee claimed five wickets in the space of just eight balls to finish the match with figures of 5-18 from four overs.
It is the first five-wicket haul by a New Zealand bowler in the shortest version of the game.
The 22-year-old’s bowling reduced Pakistan from 58 for one to 70 for six, and ultimately to 143 for nine in their quota of 20 overs.
Umar Gul, 30, and Wahab Riaz, 30 not out, top-scored to give the visitors innings some late impetus, Stuff.co.nz reports.
Chasing 144 for victory, the Blacks Caps reached 146 for five with 17 balls to spare.
Their run chase was founded on some big hitting from opening batsman Martin Guptill Guptill, who scored 53 off 28 balls, blasting four fours and four sixes.
The second match of the three-match Twenty20 series will be held in Hamilton on Tuesday. (ANI)
