Pakistan owe win to Saqlain's guile

The off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq claimed 5 for 44 to help Pakistan to an 11-run victory over New Zealand in the opening one-day international in Gujranwala yesterday.

The 20-year-old returned his best figures in limited-overs cricket as the visitors, chasing Pakistan's 228 for 8, were dismissed for 217, two balls short of the 46 overs specified.

Bryan Young was top scorer for the tourists with a fluent 58 off 93 balls containing three fours, while Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns contributed 36 each and Adam Parore 35.

Young shared a second-wicket stand of 78 with Parore after Craig Spearman had gone for six. They took the score to 104 when Parore was leg before to Mushtaq Ahmed. Young then lost his middle stump to a fiery Waqar Younis delivery at 117.

Fleming and Cairns added 60 in just 9.4 overs, but Cairns edged a catch to Moin Khan behind the stumps off Younis at 177 and eight runs later Fleming was stumped off Saqlain. The visitors then succumbed to Saqlain and though Chris Harris made a quick 20, it was not enough.

Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, were helped to a respectable total by half-centuries from Salim Malik and their captain, Wasim Akram.

ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Gujranwala, Pak): Pakistan 228 for 8 (46 overs; Salim Malik 73no, Wasim Akram 52); New Zealand 217 (45.4 overs; B Young 58; Saqlain Mushtaq 5-44). Pakistan won by 11 runs.