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Pakistan's Umar Akmal - Source: Reuters -
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Pakistan overcame a late order flurry from New Zealand to win
the second Twenty20 international by seven runs at Dubai Stadium on
Saturday, taking the two-match series 2-0.
Teenager Umer Akmal lifted Pakistan to 5-153 before they survived a
late charge by Brendon McCullum (47) and Scott Styris (43) to
maintain their 100 percent record against New Zealand.
Pakistan, who won the first match by 49 runs on Friday, have now
won all four Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.
Click here for the full scoreboard.
McCullum and Styris kept New Zealand in the hunt during a 66-run
partnership as New Zealand needed 51 off the last five overs and 38
in the last three.
But once big-hitting McCullum holed out to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal
in the 19th over, New Zealand's task of making 18 in the last over
proved too difficult.
McCullum hit three fours and six off 41 balls.
Paceman Umar Gul dismissed Styris off the last ball to finish with
2-29. Styris's 33-ball knock had two fours and as many sixes.
Styris and McCullum repaired the innings after New Zealand were
66-3 after 11 overs.
BJ Watling (seven), Martin Guptill (17) and Ross Taylor (13) fell
in quick succession as Pakistan kept the pressure on from the
start.
Earlier, Pakistan were lifted by Umer Akmal's maiden half-century
which kept his team in the hunt for a good total despite paceman
Ian Butler's 3-28.
Akmal, whose 49-ball knock included five boundaries and a six,
added 45 for the third wicket with captain Shahid Afridi (22) after
Pakistan lost the quick wickets of Imran Nazir (19) and Kamran
Akmal (26) to Butler.
Butler then dismissed Shoaib Malik (seven) and James Franklin
captured Abdul Razzaq (nought) before Umer and Fawad Alam (17 not
out) added a quickfire 39 for the fifth wicket.
Nazir and Akmal gave Pakistan a robust start of 40 with Nazir
hitting three fours and six, while Kamran hit four boundaries and a
six before New Zealand's bowlers slammed on the brakes.
