Younus hails heroes

ICC World Twenty20

Pakistan captain Younus Khan lavished rich praise on Abdur Razzaq and Umar Gul after his team roared back into the World Twenty20 after a stunning win over New Zealand.

Needing a win to stay in the competition, Pakistan rode on seamer Gul's amazing figures of five wickets for six runs in three overs to skittle New Zealand out for a paltry 99 at the Oval on Saturday.

Pakistan surpassed the modest target in 13.1 overs for the loss of four wickets to come back strongly after losing their opening Super Eights match to Sri Lanka by 19 runs on Friday.

Gul became the first bowler in history to claim five wickets in Twenty20 internationals, but Younus said it was the seamer's partnership with Abdur Razzaq that clinched victory for his team.

"It is all about partnerships. You need a good start in Twenty20 cricket and Razzaq gave us that," the Pakistani captain said.

Razzaq made a memorable return to official cricket after two years when he grabbed a wicket off his fourth delivery and another one in his third over to reduce New Zealand to 37-3.

The 29-year-old was called up as a replacement for the injured Yasir Arafat after breaking links with the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Asked to open the bowling by Younus, Razzaq had the dangerous Brendon McCullum caught at point before trapping Martin Guptill leg-before.

Gul, brought on as the sixth bowler, claimed four of the last five wickets to leave Pakistan chasing a modest target of 5.5 runs an over.

"I am delighted that Razzaq is back," said Younus.

"We do not have experience of Twenty20 cricket because we do not play so much of it at home or international matches. We did not even get to play in the Indian Premier League this year.

"But Razzaq is our most experienced player in the short game because he played cricket in England for Surrey and the Oval is like a home ground for him.

"Those early wickets by him really helped the team. Half the battle is won in Twenty20 if you get a good start."

Scott Styris' 22 was New Zealand's top score on the easy-paced wicket as eight batsmen failed to reach double figures.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori rued the lack of runs, saying the Black Caps were under pressure from the start.

"It was a good wicket, there were plenty of runs in it," said Vettori. "We needed at least 180 to compete, but there just were not enough runs on the board.

"That put is consistently under pressure. In Twenty20, there are about six to seven overs when you can make the charge and turn the game around.

"But that did not happen today."

Pakistan and New Zealand both have one win from two games in group F, while Sri Lanka still have two matches to play against the Kiwis and minnows Ireland.

The top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals.

Pakistan next play Ireland at the Oval on Monday, while New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in their last match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Tuesday.

"We can't wait to play Ireland," said Younus, referring to Pakistan's shock defeat at Irish hands in the 50-overs-a-side World Cup in the Caribbean which knocked Inzamamul Haq's side out of the tournament.

"My advice to the boys about that game? Just crush them."