New Zealand v Pakistan
Pakistan in New Zealand, 2003-04
Don Cameron
15-Apr-2005
At Napier, January 14, 2004. New Zealand won by eight wickets. Toss: New Zealand.
After the excellent pitch at Christchurch, the teams found a Napier wicket that started off
ridiculously loaded towards bowlers. Fleming won the toss, forced Pakistan to bat and watched the
ball seam and swing prodigiously. The seamers only had to bowl straight and wait, and not for
long: Pakistan were out for 126, in 36.3 overs. But a last-wicket stand of 39 proved an omen: the
pitch lost its sting and even Shoaib Akhtar could not bowl Pakistan back into the match, so New
Zealand clinched the series. Cumming - so fallible in the three previous games - led the victory
parade with an unbeaten 45. Oram was named New Zealand's man of the match for his bowling,
the groundsman being ineligible.
Man of the Match: J. D. P. Oram.