14 June,2009 05:48 AM IST | | Agencies
Pakistan beat New Zealand by six wickets at the Oval on Saturday thanks to fast bowler Umar Gul and dasher Shahid Afridi, who cracked an unbeaten 29 in Pakistan's small run chase in a World T20 game here. Pakistan reached their 100-run target with 41 balls to spare
Gul became the first bowler to claim five wickets in Twenty20 internationals as Pakistan shot New Zealand out for 99 in a must-win game at the world championships.
Seamer Gul finished with amazing figures of five wickets for six runs in three overs to build on Abdur Razzaq's memorable return to official cricket after two years. Scott Styris' 22 was New Zealand's top score on the easy-paced Oval wicket as eight batsmen failed to reach double figures. Pakistan, who lost their first Super Eights match to Sri Lanka on Friday, need a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Gul said: "It is important for me, the team and my country to perform well. In Twenty20, you have to be able to bowl the yorker, bouncer and the slower ball. Now I want to be the highest wicket-taker in the tournament."
Abdur Razzaq, who last played for Pakistan in May 2007, grabbed a wicket off his fourth delivery and another one in his third over to reduce New Zealand to 37-3. The 29-year-old was called up as a replacement for the injured Yasir Arafat after breaking links with the rebel Indian Cricket League.
