Johannesburg, Oct 4 (Inditop.com) New Zealand set-up a final clash with defending champions Australia after defeating Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling semi-final at the New Wanderers Stadium here Saturday.
New Zealand, who won the title in 2000 when it was known as the ICC Knock Tournament, achieved the target of 234 runs in 47.5 overs by losing just five wickets. Grant Elliot was the top scorer with an unbeaten 75, while skipper and Man of the Match Daniel Vettori scored 41.
Pakistan bastmen failed to covert the good starts they got after captain Younis Khan opted to bat first. Umar Akmal (55) and Mohammad Yousuf (45) played crucial knocks as they put a competitive total on board.
New Zealand made a cautious start but were found struggling at 71 for three by the 17th over. Ross Taylor started the repair act with his patient 38 and Vettori and Elliot played solid innings and with their 104-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
The game looked evenly poised till the 42nd over when New Zealand needed 59 runs from 48 deliveries. But Vettori’s decision to opt for the Power Play in the 42nd over paid rich dividends as 55 runs came off in five overs, paving way for New Zealand’s second final appearance in the tournament.
Fast bowler Umar Gul and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal were erratic in the dying stages of the game and both Elliot and Vettori came out with some big shots to end Pakistan’s hopes.
Earlier in the day, paceman Ian Butler and spinner Vettori shared seven wickets as New Zealand restricted Pakistan to 233 for nine.
Butler had a career-best haul of four for 44, while left-arm spinner Vettori ended with three for 43.
Teenager Umar Akmal hit a solid 55 as Pakistan looked set for a big total. But Vettori and Butler struck in quick succession to reduce them to 198 for nine.
Another teenager Mohammad Aamer (19 not out) and Saeed Ajmal (14 not out) then showed some great fighting spirits adding 35 off 34 deliveries for the last wicket as Pakistan made 233.