Ajmal’s best restricts New Zealand to 211


Tuesday, November 10, 2009
ABU DHABI: Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took a career-best 4-33 to help Pakistan dismiss New Zealand for 211 in 46.3 overs in the third and final day-night international here on Monday.

The 32-year-old initially put brakes on New Zealand, who won the toss and batted, before triggering a middle-order collapse which saw seven wickets falling in the space of 47 runs.

Brendon McCullum, who scored a brilliant hundred in New Zealand’s 64-run win in the second match on Friday, stood out once again with an aggressive 78-ball 76 which included three sixes and six boundaries.

Pakistan won the first match by 138 runs on Tuesday. New Zealand were well on course for a big score but once McCullum got out, caught and bowled by Shoaib Malik, Pakistani spinners led by Ajmal did not allow their rival’s score to prosper.