New Zealand win despite Umar Akmal's excellence

Nov 28, 2009

Iain O'Brien faced a barrage of bouncers from Umar Gul, as New Zealand looked to extend their lead•Getty Images

Set a target of 251, Pakistan lost Khurram Manzoor to Shane Bond in the fifth over•Getty Images

Bond returned to snare Fawad Alam to reduce Pakistan to 24 for 3•Getty Images

But Martin struck, dismissing Yousuf with a scorcher•Getty Images

O'Brien was pain after getting struck on the finger•Getty Images

The hosts managed to add just seven to their score with Gul taking the two remaining wickets•Getty Images

Brendon McCullum took a stunning catch, diving to his right, to dismiss Manzoor•Getty Images

The debutant Umar Akmal, though, continued his run from the first innings•Getty Images

But Umar displayed maturity in getting Pakistan back on their feat and within reach of a successful chase•Getty Images

He recovered, though, to take three vital wickets - Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Umar Gul - to put New Zealand on course for victory•Getty Images

At the other end, Chris Martin had Imran Farhat caught at slip•Getty Images

He was supported by Mohammad Yousuf in a stand of 71•Getty Images

When Pakistan were 56 runs away from victory, Bond took a sharp return catch to dismiss Umar•Getty Images

With one hand on the game, Vettori stepped in to knock off wickets nine and ten to shut out Pakistan, and seal a thrilling 32-run win•Getty Images