Semi-finalists in the last two editions and former champions of the ICC World Twenty20, Pakistan gave an indication about what to expect from them after thrashing New Zealand by six wickets in their first warm-up match in Dhaka on Monday. Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez posted half-centuries as Pakistan cruised to 149-4 in 19.5 overs after Umar Gul and Mohammad Talha shared five wickets between them to
restrict New Zealand to 145-9.
Brendon McCullum was the only standout performer for New Zealand with 59 not out which provided the backbone of their innings.
With the match having no official status, the Kiwis allowed Pakistan 12th man Talha to bowl and he made them regret the decision striking in his first two overs to leave the side struggling at 31-2.
McCullum was unaffected by the early loss of the openers and continued his natural strokeplay hitting three fours and four sixes in his 45-ball unbeaten knock, but Pakistan kept striking regularly to halt New Zealand from registering a handsome total.
Colin Munro was the other batsman to have made a decent contribution with 20 off 15 balls.
Gul claimed two wickets in an over before finishing with 3-14 while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal also earned enough respect from the Kiwis to concede just 18 runs from his four overs for a wicket.
Pakistan faced little trouble to chase down the total despite losing opener Sharjeel Khan cheaply as Kamran and Hafeez added 86 runs for the second wicket.
The pair were separated only after skipper Hafeez told Kamran to retire once he completed his fifty. The right-handed wicket-keeper smashed six fours and two sixes in his 45-ball 52.
Hafeez followed him soon after making 55 off 39 balls, presenting a catch to Corey Anderson off Nathan McCullum.
Off-spinner McCullum later bowled Umar Akmal for three but it had no impact on the result.
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BRIEF SCORES
New Zealand 145-9 in 20 overs (B McCullum 59 not out, C Munro 20; U Gul 3-16, M Talha 2-22) v Pakistan 149-4 in 19.5 overs (M Hafeez 55, U Akmal 52 retd hurt; N McCullum 2-21)
Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets.
-With New Age input
