Bond and O'Brien Set up NZ to Narrow Win

Dunedin: Shane Bond marked a stunning return to Test cricket powering New Zealand to a narrow 32-run victory to take a 1-0 series lead over Pakistan on the final day of the first Test here on Saturday.

The hosts successfully defended 250 runs on the final day after being skittled out for 153 in the second innings. Bond took 3-46 as Pakistan collapsed to 218 all out despite a fighting 75 from debutant Umar Akmal, who also scored a century in the first innings.

Iain O'Brien claimed 3-63 while captain Daniel Vettori and Chris Martin took two wickets apiece as New Zealand blocked out Pakistan's resistance in the final session.

The home side scored the runs in the first innings despite some good bowling by Asif and co. Bond (5/107) was a big success story in the second innings helping his side take a handy lead of 97 runs along with Martin (3/63).

The Akmal brothers did pretty well with the bat though. The hosts could only manage 153 runs in their 2nd innings as Asif, Gul and Aamer bowled superbly. But even that target of 251 proved enough as the New Zealand bowling attack came up with some match-winning effort.

Apart from Elliott, all their bowlers chipped in with wickets. At one stage, when Umar Akmal (75) and Malik (32) were in the middle, Pakistan looked safe for a win but towards the end they all succumbed. There were quite a few notable performances during the course of the match. Mohammad Asif was brilliant in his comeback match. Umar Akmal on his debut was another big success story for Pakistan. But it was Shane Bond (8 wickets) whose hostile bowling spells won Kiwis these match.

He gets the Man of the Match award.We have witnessed one of the finest Test in the recent times which had everything in it. Chasing 251 on the final day, Pakistan have been bowled out for 218 giving New Zealand a 32-run win in the first Test. They now lead the 3-Test series 1-0.

Both the sides will next meet at Wellington on the 3rd of December for the second Test.

Brief scores
New Zealand: 429 (Vettori 99, Taylor 94, McCullum 78, Asif 4-108) and 153 (Taylor 59, Asif 4-43, Gul 3-41)
Pakistan: 332 (Umar Akmal 129, Kamran Akmal 82, Bond 5-107) and 218 (Umar Akmal 75, Bond 3-46, O'Brien 3-63)
Result: New Zealand won by 32 runs
MOM: SE Bond (New Zealand)

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