Hat-trick for Southee as he rips apart Pakistan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand's Tim Southee ripped through Pakistan's batting in Auckland yesterday, taking five wickets, including just the third hat-trick in international Twenty20 matches. Martin Guptill then smashed a quick-fire half-century to help New Zealand side to a morale-boosting five-wicket win in the first Twenty20 international.
Guptill's 54 included four sixes, one of which almost went out of the ground, before he was run out when trying for a quick single. He was sent back by the stand-in captain, Ross Taylor (39 not out), and saw the home side to victory.
Southee had ripped through Pakistan's order by taking five wickets in nine balls, including a hat-trick, that reduced Pakistan from 58 for 1 to 68 for 6 within 10 minutes. Pakistan had begun strongly, rolling along to 58 for 1, with the only loss that of captain Shoaib Afridi (20), before Southee began his purple patch, taking the wicket of Ahmed Shehzad for 14 on the final ball of his first over.
He then dismissed Younis Khan (2), Hafeez (24) and Umar Akmal (0) on successive deliveries before he completed his demolition with Abdul Razzaq becoming his fifth victim on the second ball of his third over when he feathered a catch through to wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan for one.
Southee finished with figures of 5 for 18 from his four overs, though Pakistan's bowlers provided some late resistance with Umar Gul (30) and Wahab Riaz (30 not out) helping their side through to 143 for 9 off their 20 overs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments