Pakistan clinch Wellington victory
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Pakistan took just four overs to score the 28 runs needed for victory on the final day of the second test against New Zealand.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, unbeaten on 72, and Yousuf Youhana, 88 not out, completed the job in 16 minutes as the tourists clinched the two-match series, 1-0.
Pakistan had suffered a nervous night as rain lashed Wellington, but the start of play was only delayed by 30 minutes.
"We were a bit concerned when we woke up to the rain this morning, but we are grateful to have been able to finish," said Pakistan coach Javed Miandad, whose side turned down an extra eight overs on Monday evening.
"We were a bit confused with the extra time ruling. I agree we should have played on last night."
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was named man of the match after putting his side in a winning position with a devastating burst on the fourth day.
Shoaib took six wickets for 30 runs, finishing the match with 11-78, as New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for eight runs, ending the their second innings on 103 to leave Pakistan chasing 274 for victory.
New Zealand struck back by removing openers Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar with just 75 runs on the board, but Yasir Hameed's 59, followed by Youhana's and Inzamam's 121-run stand.
"It was one of my great spells," said Shoaib, who missed the drawn first test with a hamstring strain.
"I'm really thankful to my team who backed me all the way."
Killer instinct
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his side's defeat was due to a lack of killer instinct.
"I don't think it was application or commitment that was missing," said Fleming.
"We got tentative as we lost two or three wickets because we could see what was happening.
Once a side starts losing momentum, or a team starts to grab it you can see the change, especially with a Pakistan side who are very good at taking over when they get a sniff.
"We seem to have trouble icing the cake. It's a mental state and something we have to work on. At the moment we seem timid."
