Pakistan proved the tag of bad chasers of wrong for the second time inless than seven months when they overhauled New Zealand’s 277 withthree wickets and 17 balls to spare to clinch the One-dayInternational series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Samiul Hasan25-Apr-2002Pakistan proved the tag of bad chasers of wrong for the second time inless than seven months when they overhauled New Zealand’s 277 withthree wickets and 17 balls to spare to clinch the One-dayInternational series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Wednesday night.The victory in the second One-day International gave the Asianchampions an unassailable 2-0 lead over the ICC Champions Trophywinners with the last match scheduled at Lahore Saturday.Pakistan, who successfully chased 272 against Sri Lanka at Sharjahlast October, looked dead and buried when they lost Imran Nazir andYousuf Youhana in the first eight balls. But then two usefulpartnerships of 73 for the third wicket and 93 for the fourth turnedthe match in Pakistan’s favour. And though there were minor hiccups atthe end, Rashid Latif ensured that Pakistan didn’t let the initiativeslip with a priceless unbeaten 28.The architects of Pakistan’s victory were, however, Younis Khan, whostroked a flawless 70 off 91 balls, and Abdul Razzaq who clobbered 10fours and a six in his superb 84-ball 86.The flamboyant Shahid Afridi gave the initial impetus to the inningswith a rapid 36-ball 40 before perishing to a premeditated sweep offScott Styris.Both Younis and Razzaq justified the decision of skipper Waqar Younisto promote them ahead of the experienced Inzamam-ul-Haq. But thedecision also left a few questions unanswered. If Inzamam was demotedbecause of bad form, why he was retained as Pakistan, for the seventhstraight match, kept faith in the same side that started its SharjahCup defence earlier this month. And if he was selected in spite of badform, why he was not sent at No 3 which would have provided him ampletime to settle down and come out of a poor patch.Inzamam scored 26 but he faces the axe for the third match,particularly after Pakistan is expected to make changes.Younis, who hit his fourth half century in five matches, played a wellcontrolled innings. The 25-year-old Pathan showed good defensivetechnique to good balls but at the same time punished anything losethat fetched him seven boundaries. The high point of Younis’s inningswas his excellent timing and perfect placing.Nevertheless, despite doing all the hard work, Younis threw his wicketby attempting to cut Walker only to get his stumps rattled.Despite losing Younis, Razzaq kept his composure and continued toplunder runs all over the park through his unorthodox style. He showednice wrist work by playing delicate leg glances and off his toesstrokes.When Pakistan needed 26 off 45 balls for victory, Styris foxed Razzaqwith a slow off-spinner. But the Middlesex-bound all-rounder had donehis job to perfection though it would have been nice if he hadreturned undefeated.New Zealand had their chances to dismiss Younis and Razzaq. But one ofthe finest fielding sides failed to pounce on the opportunities. LouVincent and Walker needed direct throws to run out both but failed tohit the stumps.Overall, it was a collective and team effort by the Pakistan batsmenwho have repeatedly buckled down while chasing big totals. There wascommitment, discipline and purpose behind their batting thatthoroughly entertained a full house of 18,000 spectators.Earlier, Craig McMillan scored his second One-day Internationalcentury to propel the Black Caps to an imposing 277 for five.McMillan, whose other century was also against Pakistan last year atChristchurch, was out in the last over after hitting a 116-ball 105.But it was sad that he ended up on the losing side, chiefly becauseNew Zealand didn’t have the fire and penetration in their bowling.McMillan slapped eight boundaries and a six and featured in twofruitful partnerships. For the second wicket with Matthew Horne, headded 96 runs from 125 balls and then for the third wicket, he put 92runs off 83 balls with Adams.Horne chipped in with a fluent 62 – his fifth half century in 49matches – that included seven boundaries from 91 balls. Adams,promoted to use long handle after the platform was set, contributedrun-a-ball 45 with six hits to the fence.It was McMillan who maintained New Zealand’s steady run-rate. Afterthe visitors collected 141 for two from the first 30 overs, McMillanmade sure that his side added almost an equal number of runs in theremaining twenty overs.With New Zealand reaching 210 for two from 40 overs, prospects of ascore of more than 300 looked on cards. But the Pakistan bowlers, whofailed to make a good use of the new ball by allowing McMillan andcompany build partnerships, pulled things back in the death overs bybowling in the block holes. The end result was that New Zealand couldmuster only 67 runs.The pace trio of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar bowledtheir hearts out on a strip full of runs. Shoaib, who wanted toperform well before his home crowd, finished with wicketless for 51while Wasim recovered after giving away 22 off his first four overs toend up with two for 58. Waqar was the pick of the bowlers with two for46.