Share this story!            

Second New Zealand ODI in Abu Dhabi today

Younis targets first one-day series win

ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Younis Khan targeted an unassailable lead against New Zealand when the two teams meet in the second day-night international here on Friday (today).

Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after their convincing 138-run win in the first match here on Tuesday. “It would be great if we win the second match and with it the series, and that would be our first series win for one year,” said Younis under whom Pakistan have lost against Australia and Sri Lanka (away) this year. “It is important that we keep the winning momentum, win the second after which we have a chance of a clean sweep.”

Pakistan’s last one-day series win came against the West Indies, a 3-0 win in Abu Dhabi in November last year. Since then Pakistan lost a home series to Sri Lanka in January this year – which led Younis to take over from Shoaib Malik. Younis feared New Zealand will come hard on Pakistan. “The victory in the first match looked easy but after the first ten overs we were in trouble,” said Younis of a poor start when Pakistan lost two wickets, including his, without any score on the board.

Opener Khalid Latif (64) added 57 for the third wicket with Mohammad Yousuf (30) and 101 for the fifth with Shahid Afridi (70) before Kamran Akmal punished New Zealand with a quickfire 43-ball 67 to help Pakistan reach 287-9 in 50 overs. In reply, New Zealand were shot out for a paltry 149. New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori realises his team is in a must-win position. “We realise that we have to win this game,” said Vettori after the defeat. “But we can look back and say that we know how the wicket plays, what is the gettable and defendable total, which can give us more confidence.”

Vettori hoped his bowlers execute the plans well after conceding 107 runs in the last ten overs, which in the end proved decisive. “All you can ask your bowlers is to execute the plan and if we managed to restirct them to 230-240 it would be great,” said Vettori, who praised Pakistan’s spin duo of Afridi and Saeed Ajmal. “Afridi has got to another level as a bowler and the partnership he is forming with Ajmal is real key to Pakistan’s success,” said Vettori. “We played Ajmal in the Champions Trophy and know we can handle him.”

Pacemen Kyle Mills and James Franklin – who both missed the first match because of injuries – practised with the team on Thursday and Vettori hoped they will be available for selection. The third match will also be played here on Monday before the teams move to Dubai for two Twnety20 internationals on November 12 and 13. afp

Home | Sport

Share this story!