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Gul began Pakistan's dominance with a new-ball spell that oozed intent from the outset. Resisting the natural urge to crank up the pace when aided by a breeze, he relied on subtle sleight of hand and a high release to probe away at the top order. In the first over, he got a swerving inducker to strike Brendon McCullum - who was not offering a shot - above the knee roll. Umpire Daryl Harper ruled in Gul's favour, though replays suggested the bounce was taking it over the stumps. Things were evened out in Gul's next over, when Martin Guptill edged a legcutter on its way to Adnan Akmal, unnoticed by Harper.
Pakistan's seamers punctuated spells of ordinariness with sparks of brilliance to dismantle New Zealand's top order and put their side ahead at stumps. Umar Gul and Tanvir Ahmed were lethal in the first hours of the first two sessions, and though Ross Taylor survived their bursts with a mix of caution and enterprise, the home batsmen suffered from a general lack of confidence that prevented them from counterattacking when the bowlers were on song, and from dominating when they weren't.
The five-match one-day India-South Africa cricket series beginning here Wednesday is the last opportunity for the two countries to test their players before finalising their World Cup squads.Let us wait for Praveen to be fit for the World Cup 2011.
Pakistani selectors on Wednesday retained Shahid Afridi as captain for the upcoming one-day series against New Zealand, boosting his chances of leading the side in next month's World Cup.Let us see how Afridi takes this challenge and lead the team.
Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar attends a training session at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on January 10, 2011. India and South Africa will play thier One Day International (ODI) on January 12, 2011.
South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini gestures after the Twenty20 match between India and South Africa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on January 9, 2011. The match marked the last international appearance of South African fast bowler Ntini, who got a rousing reception from a crowd of about 47,000 but conceded 46 runs off four overs without taking a wicket.
Rajasthan's strategy, according to franchise officials, will be to use players such as Rahul Dravid and Shane Warne to attract and mould younger, talented domestic players.
