A blazing fourth-wicket partnership of 83 runs between Abdul Razzaq and Rana Naved-ul Hassan, powered ICL Pakistan to a compelling six-wicket win in their do-or-die league match of the 20s World series.

Some great hittings by Razzaq (73 n.o. off 45) and Rana Naved (74 off 38) saw Pakistan through with 13 balls to spare after World XI had piled up a huge 188 for three in their alloted 20 overs.

Chasing the target, Imran Nazir scored a quick fir 15 off 7 balls, hitting Jason Gillespie for a six in the first ball of the innings over square leg. At the very next ball Nazir was dropped by Damien Martyn at cover. The right handed in-form batsman got another life in the next over when Syed Mohammad dropped him at mid-off boundary off Andre Adams. He was finally bowled by Adams. His opening partner Imran Farhat (12) was the next man to depart at mid-off by Lance Klusener.

However, the fall of wickets had no effect on Razzaq and Rana Naved as the duo murdered the World XI bowlers to bring up 50 in four overs and 100 in 7.2 overs. Razzaq scored his fifty in 25 balls, while Rana Naved got it 23. The duo struck as many as 19 fours and four sixes between them.

Rana’s brave innings came to an end with a stunning catch from Murray Goodwin off Nantie Hayward. Shaid Yousuf could not add much for the team’s total.

Earlier batting first, World’s XI openers Murray Goodwin and Damien Martyn gave a flying start to the team, adding 40 in just four overs. The Pakistanis got their first victim in the 10th over when Goodwin was shown the door by Riaz Afridi on 52. Goodwin scored eight boundaries and a six in his 31-ball 52-run innings.

Scores in brief:-

World XI 188/3 in 20 overs (Murray Goodwin 52, Damien Martyn 64 n.o., Afridi 1/15) lost to Pakistani XI 191/4 in 17.5 overs (Abdul Razzaq 73 n.o., Naved-ul-Hasan Rana 74, Adams 1/22)

Man of the Match: Abdul Razzaq (Pakistani XI)