Blistering century by McMillan helps Kiwis level series

CHRISTCHURCH, FEB. 25. Craig McMillan took just 75 balls to hit 104 not out as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 138 runs in Christchurch on Sunday to square the international one-day series 2-2 with one game remaining. New Zealand reached 284 for five off 50 overs and then reduced Pakistan to 71 for six with some superb fast bowling from Daryl Tuffey and James Franklin and brilliant fielding by Lou Vincent.

Inzamam-Ul-Haq, batting with Imran Nazir as his runner after suffering a groin injury in the field, combined with Abdur Razzaq for a 35-run partnership and with captain Moin Khan for a 73-run stand. But Pakistan could not recover from its appalling start and ended 146 all out in 47 overs. After Inzamam was out for 37 off 101 deliveries, caught Vincent bowled Astle, Wasim Akram lasted two balls before he was caught at deep point by Roger Twose. To complete an eventful over, Moin lofted Astle to long- on, where Harris grabbed the ball just inside the boundary, threw it up again before he gingerly jumped over the rope, then stepped inside and caught it.

This time last year that would have been a six, but rule changes in the international game in September allowed Harris to manoeuvre himself around the rope without touching it.

Pakistan's run rate was never allowed to rise above 3.2 per over, while the asking rate escalated throughout, with 28 runs an over required over the final seven overs. New Zealand was helped in its innings by two century partnerships. McMillan and Harris (39 n.o.) put on an unbeaten 112 for the sixth wicket off 97 balls and Nathan Astle (71) and Roger Twose (42) put on 101 off 112 balls for the second wicket. It was also helped by nine wides from Wasim Akram, one of which went for four out of keeper Moin's reach, and he ended up going for 62 runs off his ten overs without a wicket.

Razzaq was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with three for 41.

Craig McMillan said he felt ``in the Zone'' when he scored his unbeaten 104. ``I scored a hundred and we won, so it was very satisfying,'' said the man of the match.

- Reuters

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