RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, 6 December 2003 — A fluent century opening stand between Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed set up a comfortable seven-wicket win for Pakistan over New Zealand in the fourth One-Day International yesterday.
The two youngsters scored half centuries to make a victory target of 184 runs look easy with a stand of 134 from 166 balls. It was their second successive century partnership of the series, which Pakistan now lead 4-0 with one match to play. Farhat (82 from 117 balls, 14 fours) and Hameed (61 from 80 balls, seven fours) were in such dominant form that they brought up 50 in the 7th over and 100 in the 20th over.
New Zealand captain Chris Cairns described the defeat as a “good old fashioned hiding”.
“We have to face reality. We are a very inexperienced side and we are up against a very experienced side. But no one likes to be on the losing side,” he said.
“But despite the defeats I think it is a good experience for our newcomers who are learning what international cricket is all about.”
Pakistan skipper Inzamam ul-Haq made it clear his team would be going all out for a whitewash in the final match tomorrow.
“Before the series I was looking for this sort of fluent and dominating performance over New Zealand and we have achieved that target. There is no question of taking it easy on Sunday.” Hameed continued his own run of personal success with his fourth straight half-century of the series against a depleted New Zealand side who were once again outclassed before a sparse crowd.
New Zealand, who dropped spinner Daniel Vettori, have now lost eight of their last nine matches and seven in a row in Pakistan.
Part-time bowler Tama Canning grabbed the wickets of Yasir and Azhar Mahmood but paceman Daryl Tuffey again struggled to find his form, his 10 wicketless overs costing 45 runs.
Pakistan bowled the tourists out for 183, Shoaib Akhtar taking three for 23. Cairns held the innings together, the 33-year-old all -rounder, playing in his 174th One-Day International, scoring 48 from 61 balls.
