McCullum spurred New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 64 runs in second ODI

Wellington, Nov 7 : New Zealand beat Pakistan by 64 runs in the second one day international in Abu Dhabi today.

A century by man of the match Brendon McCullum and a three wicket two over burst by Scott Styris helped the Kiwis overcome Pakistani resistance in the match.

McCullum slammed 131 off 129 balls to anchor New Zealand’s innings of 303-8 on a flat pitch before Styris with three wickets for 23 runs sparked a middle-order collapse, which saw Pakistan bowled out for 239.

The three match series is evenly tied at 1-1, Stuff.co.nz reports.

New Zealand lost the first match by 138 runs on Wednesday and the decider will be played on Monday.

“We talked about some key things from the last game that we needed to improve on and we came out today and did them exceptionally well,” skipper Daniel Vettori said.

Vettori said McCullum and Martin Guptill, 62, had given the New Zealand innings impetus with a good partnership and the team had bowled well.

“It can make such a difference to the way the bowlers feel and it can turn games around. In particular Ross Taylor’s catches and Martin Guptill’s run outs made such a huge difference and means you only have to take seven or eight wickets when you have fielders like that,” he added.

McCullum said it was important that he kicked on after he posted his half-century, as he had often been guilty of not finishing off promising starts in his innings.

Pakistan captain Younus Khan said the McCullum-Guptill partnership was the key for New Zealand.

“Actually they had a good partnership and when we batted we lost crucial wickets, especially to Styris. McCullum was superb today,” he said.

Styris’ three wickets plus the run out of opener Salman Butt for 59 meant Pakistan lost four wickets for 10 runs and left it tottering at 134-5 in the 31st over.

--ANI