Yousuf was dismissed towards the fag end of the day, after playing a patient knock of 89. His innings, along with half centuries from Imran Farhat (61), Salman Butt (66) and Faisal Iqbal (67) made sure that Pakistan erased the huge 248 run deficit and ended the day with their noses in front having piled up a lead of 99 runs. They were 347 for 4 at stumps, with Misbah-Ul-Haq (4 not out) at the crease along with Umar Akmal (48 not out).

Earlier, the visitors could add just one run to their overnight tally of 128 for no loss before Salman Butt was sent back by Martin Guptill for 66. His opening partner, Imran Farhat, too perished soon to the same bowler for 61.

Faisal Iqbal was sent in at No. 3 and he batted with a lot of determination, adding 128 runs for the 3^rd wicket with skipper Mohammad Yousuf.

Iqbal fell just a few minutes before tea for 67, but Yousuf continued unperturbed as Pakistan stepped up their scoring with the help of the young Umar Akmal, before rain stopped play with 12 overs remaining.

Farhat not only scored his third test century but also carried his bat throughout the innings, remaining unbeaten on 117 which included 14 boundaries and a six. He saved Pakistan from embarrassment since at one stage it seemed like they will be bowled out under 100. Ian O’Brien, playing in his final test match before he moves to England to pursue his county cricket career, ran through the rest of the Pakistan batting, ending with figures of 4-35. In fact, such was his dominance on the opening morning, that at one point his figures read 4.2-4-3-3.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf won the toss and opted to bat on what seemed like a perfectly fine batting wicket. But, like we have seen on numerous occasions, Pakistan batsmen were in a mood for self destruction. Pakistan soon slid to 90-6 before Farhat’s spectacular counterattack helped Pakistan reach a respectable score.

Tim Southee started it for the Kiwis when he castled Salman Butt for nine, before the O’Brien show started. O’Brien first dismissed Faisal Iqbal (6) caught at gully off a sharp rising delivery. He then went on to dismiss Mohammad Yousuf, the in-form Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq – all three for ducks.

However, Farhat continued his onslaught from the other end, bringing up his half-century after lunch. Some useful contributions from Kamran Akmal (22), Mohammad Aamer (23) and Umar Gul (24) helped the left-handed opener to raise his third century in Test cricket.

Towards the end of the innings, No.11 Danish Kaneria’s scored an entertaining 16, taking Pakistan past 200 before Daryl Tuffey finished off the Pakistan innings, the lanky pacer returning with figures of 4-52.

Farhat, who was among the banned players for playing in the unofficial Indian Cricket League, has recently returned to the Pakistan Test team after breaking his ties with the rebel ICL.

At stumps on Day 1, New Zealand had reached 47 for no loss with openers Tin McIntosh (31 not out) and Bradley Walting (13 not out) putting together their highest opening partnership of the series.

The three-test series is currently tied at 1-1 with New Zealand winning the first Test in Dunedin before Pakistan bounced back to level the series at Wellington.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 47 for 0 trail Pakistan 223 (Farhat 117*, O’Brien 4-35, Tuffey 4-52) by 176 runs

Pakistan, who lost the ODI series preceding the T20 matches, are the T20 world champions and they maintained that status, putting in a clinical performance against a feeble looking New Zealand outfit. The hosts rode on the efforts of opener Imran Nazir (58), who scored his first fifty in international cricket since coming back into the national fold from the ICL, helping Pakistan post a competitive total of 161 for 8 on the board. The fast bowlers then gave them a perfect start, bowling immaculate line and lengths with the spin pair of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi wrapping up an easy win for the hosts.

The win was Pakistan’s 20th in 26 Twenty20 internationals and their third in as many matches against the injury-ravaged Black Caps.

Being put into bat, Pakistan got off to a flying start with Imran Nazir coming out all guns blazing. Nazir hit five fours and four massive sixes on way to a 38 balls 58 before speedster Shane Bond had him caught in the outfield in the 12th over to put the brakes on the innings.

New Zealand made a strong comeback taking the last six wickets for just 69 runs but a late order flourish from Abdul Razzaq (26 off 15 balls) took Pakistan to a score of 161 for 8. Shane Bond was impressive, returning with figures of 2 for 17 while Tim Southee ended with 3 for 28. The surprise package for the Kiwis was Aaron Redmond, who was bowling for the first time in a limited overs match and looked nothing more than a gentle leg-break bowler. He finished with figures of 2 for 24, picking up the important wickets of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.

Brendon McCullum, who was leading the side in the absence of the injured Daniel Vettori, gave the Kiwis a smashing start scoring 17 off the first over bowled by Mohammad Aamir. But Aamir came back strongly, by claiming McCullum (19) in his second and Ross Taylor (five) in his third to quash any hopes of an upset.

Abdul Razzaq (2-9) then dismissed Scott Styris (4) and Neil Broom (14), before spinners Shahid Afridi (2-21) and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (2-18) wrapped up the New Zealand’s innings.

Captain Afridi said the win was a much-needed boost for Pakistan.

“We had to win this match after our one-day loss,” said Afridi. “After getting 161 I thought that with our varied attack, we’d successfully defend the total.”

New Zealand’s stand-in captain McCullum said a string of injuries affected the performance. “We were struck with injuries,” said McCullum. “But those who came in got the opportunity. We weren’t at our best today but we have the potential to turn this around.”

The second match will be played at the same venue on Friday.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 161 for 8 (Nazir 58, Southee 3-28) beat New Zealand 112 (Watling 22, Razzaq 2-9) by 49 runs

Man of the Match: Imran Nazir

“That is why the board has decided to appoint Yousuf as captain and wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal as vice captain for the Test tour,” a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said. Pakistan starts the first Test in New Zealand on November 24.

The announcement comes after Pakistan lost the ODI series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi amidst growing criticism of Younis’s poor batting form and him having lost confidence among the players. The decision effectively confirmed the rumours and signaled a victory of players over an unpopular captain.

“I met the chairman today and told him I needed to rest,” Younis told Cricinfo. “I told him I feel as If I have no command over this team. And if a leadership has no command over its players, what is the point of continuing to lead? I also told him that the last 3-4 months have been  trying times for me, not just with the cricket but all that has happened outside it. I need time to get myself together now.”

He survived a revolt after the Champions Trophy in October when a group of senior players complained to board chairman Ejaz Butt about his attitude towards them. But the board rejected their demands and didn’t accept Younis’s resignation, asking him to continue as captain until the next World Cup in 2011.

However, on Wednesday, Butt told the Geo Super television channel, “Younis has taken the correct decision at this time to take a break from international cricket. The decision to appoint Yousuf as captain for the New Zealand series has been taken in the best interests of Pakistan cricket.”

Yousuf, 35, is the seniormost player in the team, having played 82 Tests and 278 one-day internationals. He rejoined the Pakistan team on the Test tour of Sri Lanka in July-August after having resigned from the rebel Indian Cricket League in which he played for one season.

Former Pakistan player and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said the board should appoint Yousuf as skipper on a long-term basis. “He is a very senior and respected player in the side and it is unfair to name him captain for one series only. I think it is best if Younis first regain his form and place in the team,” he told Reuters.

Inzamam added that he was not surprised by Younis’s decision as he also had experienced a group of players who were unhappy with him. “It becomes difficult for a captain to infuse a fighting spirit in the team once he loses confidence of his players,” said Inzamam.

The washout ensured that India didn’t get any chance to salvage its pride, Australia eventually clinching the series with a series score line of 4-2. The two teams didn’t even leave their hotel rooms since it was drizzling continuously since morning which turned into a heavy downpour just before the scheduled start of play.

The match to be held at the DY Patil Stadium at Navi Mumbai, which was all set to host its first ODI, was of only academic interest, with Australia having taken an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven-match series lead after winning the low-scoring sixth ODI at Guwahati on November 8.

Australia, thus, maintained their winning streak of nearly 20 years over India in the bilateral ODI series. It was in 1986-87 that India beat the visiting Australians 3-2. In the two bilateral limited-over series between the two countries before the current one, Australia had defeated India 3-2 (best-of-five) in 2000-01 and 4-2 (best-of-seven) in 2007-08.

Shane Watson was declared the Man of the Series for his outstanding contributions throughout the series with both bat and ball. He finished with 256 runs and 10 wickets in the series.

National Selection Panel chief Andrew Hilditch said that Johnson and Watson have handled a lot of workload in the last few months and they need rest to be ready for the busy summer season in Australia. “The NSP has decided Mitchell and Shane will depart India as soon as possible. Mitchell and Shane will return home to Australia to commence preparation for the three mobile Test series beginning in Brisbane on November 26 and the programme that follows,” Hilditch said in a statement.

Hilditch said that the decision was taken in view of the extremely heavy workload shouldered by the duo since the Twenty20 World Cup in May 2009, and the forthcoming Australian summer which includes six Test matches in eight weeks, ODI and Twenty20 series against the West Indies and Pakistan and a tour to New Zealand early next year.

Already, five Australian players — Brett Lee, James Hopes, Tim Paine, Moises Henriques and Peter Siddle — have returned home after picking up injuries during the course of the ongoing ODI series which the visitors have sealed in their favour with one match still to be played.

Pakistan were all but finished in the game after having lost 9 wickets, with just 101 runs on the board while chasing 212 for a win, but rookie Mohammad Aamer (73 not out) and Saeed Ajmal (33) put together a record last wicket stand to bring Pakistan within touching distance of an improbable win before Saeed Ajmal holed out to Kyle Mills at long leg off the bowling of Jacob Oram, giving New Zealand a 7 run victory.

Mohammad Aamer, 17, also earned the distinction of the highest individual score by a number 10 batsman. The previous highest one-day score for a number ten batsman was 56 not out, made by Zimbabwe’s Douglas Marillier against India at New Delhi in 2002.

Earlier, Daniel Vettori won the toss and opted to bat first. Brendan McCullum, who scored a brilliant century in the second match, was the stand out performer once again scoring an aggressive 78 ball 76 which included six fours and three sixes. Once McCullum was dismissed, caught and bowled by Shoaib Malik, the Kiwis completely lost their way with the Pakistan spinners triggering a middle order collapse during which New Zealand lost their last 7 wickets for just 47 runs.

It was paceman Umar Gul who got the initial breakthrough for Pakistan, removing opener Aaron Redmond caught off Aamir for 21. This was Gul’s 100th wicket in 67 one-day internationals. Ajmal then came into his own, removing Martin Guptill (eight), Ross Taylor (44), Daniel Vettori (15) and Jacob Oram (two) to improve on his best one-day figures of 2-16 against the West Indies at Johannesburg in September this year. He ended with figures of 4-33 off 10 overs.

Chasing a modest total of 212 to win the game and the series, Pakistan got off to a solid start with the openers, Salman Butt and Khalid Latif, adding 47 runs in 8.2 overs. Vettori got the breakthrough for the Kiwis trapping Latif in front of the wickets in the ninth over. That wicket started a slump which saw Pakistan going from 47-1 to 101-9.

When Ajmal joined Aamer, Pakistan needed a mammoth-looking 112 runs in 16.5 overs, but Aamir set the tempo for an unexpected win by hitting Daniel Vettori for three sixes in one over. Slowly and gradually, he and Ajmal consolidated the innings, inching closer to the target with every over, beating the previous tenth wicket partnership record by Pakistan in all one-day of 72 by Abdul Razzaq and Waqar Younis against South Africa at Durban in 1998 in the process.

Aamir, who hit seven boundaries and three sixes during his 81-ball knock, improved on his previous highest score of 24 made against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Eventually it was New Zealand who managed to keep their nerves to take the final wicket of Saeed Ajmal and bowl Pakistan out for 204 thus winning the match by 7 runs. Jacob Oram was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand returning with figures of 3 for 20 off 9.1 overs. Tim Southee also impressed with figures of 2 for 26 off 10 overs.

Both teams now move to Dubai where they play two Twenty20 matches on November 12 and 13.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 211 (McCullum 76, Ajmal 4-33) beat Pakistan 204 (Aamer 73*, Oram 3-20) by seven runs

Man of the Match: Mohammad Aamer

Man of the Series: Brendan McCullum

Australia won the sixth ODI in Guwahati on Sunday by a comfortable six-wicket margin and took an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven match series. The Australian media lauded Ricky Ponting and his men for the way they have humiliated India despite being without their key players. The series win also meant that Australia consolidated their position at the top of the ODI rankings, which was under threat if India were to win the series.

“Courageous Australia remain cricket’s one-day kings after crushing upstart rivals India in a ruthless show of strength,” screamed a write-up in the Courier Mail. “India’s bold ambition to send Ricky Ponting’s men home without the number one ranking proved hollow with Australia’s six-wicket victory sealing the series and one-day bragging rights.”

Headlined ‘Jubilant Aussies take series over India’, Herald Sun newspaper said the series win by Ponting’s men would be even more devastating to the Indian psyche as it had come with a “virtual Australia-A side”.

“Dhoni’s side will be licking its wounds for a while after being bashed by a virtual Australia ‘A’ side, short of front-line names but big on heart,” it said.

“The loss of Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Tim Paine, James Hopes and Moises Henriques only served to galvanise Ponting’s unit. Australia has depth in young talent who will not only hold the line as reinforcements but win battles of their own,” the article in the Herald Sun said. “Ponting’s injury-hit squad of ‘home brand’ warriors put India back in their box, dealing a huge psychological blow to their psyche.”

The Age lauded Ponting’s men for keeping Australia’s 13-year undefeated ODI series run in India intact. “Australia will fly out this week with both its number one ranking and 13-year unbeaten run in one-day series here intact, after taking an unassailable 4-2 lead over India,” the newspaper said. “Forty-five minutes of lethal new-ball bowling from Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson paved the way for the six-wicket win at the Nehru Stadium at Guwahati.”

Dhoni’s gamble to bat first on a tricky track backfired and the match virtually slipped out of their hand in nine overs when the home side was gasping at 27 for five.

“During the toss I said that the first half hour will be crucial for us but the first 15 minutes proved more than enough,” Dhoni said after the match. “We lost quite a few wickets and after that we never really were in the game.”

With this win, Australia took an unassailable 4-2 lead in the series reaffirming their supremacy as the best team in the world. For Australia, pace duo of Doug Bollinger (5/35) and Mitchell Johnson 3/39) made merry on a wicket which offered generous movement even though Dhoni defended his decision to bat first and felt a score in the vicinity of 220 could have been enough.

“Of course, there was a bit of movement in the wicket but overall I think the Australians bowled really well. We could have batted second, looking at the conditions but then also it would have been tough because the spinners were getting great amount of turn. I think we were fortunate enough to score 170, as at one stage, even 150 was looking tough. We fell short by 50-55 runs,” Dhoni said.

The Indian captain said losing a couple of close games made all the difference in the series.

“The Mohali game followed by the Hyderabad game, we should have won both. In both the matches the Australians took the game away from us. A couple of mistakes we made in the field and we lost the games,” he added.

His counterpart Ricky Ponting, meanwhile, lauded his team for their spirited display, especially after losing some of their key players to injuries and said it was a memorable series win for him.

“I couldn’t be happier. (This is) probably one of the best series I have been involved with. It was heartening to see the boys gel as a group especially after so many injuries. The performance of the team in the last two games has been satisfying,” an ecstatic Ponting said. “It means a lot because it was a great challenge to come and beat India at their home, especially when you have not got your main players. In every match we had to change and chop players and that made it even harder. Performance of all the guys has been outstanding. The bowlers really bowled well today, Johnson and Bollinger were outstanding. Once we got the five wickets, we thought we had taken the control of the game,” Ponting said.

“It swung a little bit in the morning and was also two paced early on. But our new ball bowlers really did a great job for us,” he added about the ball.

Man-of-the-match Bollinger said he just stuck to his basics and it worked for him. “I am really happy today and it’s great to see everything coming together. I really had a great time here. I just wanted to use the conditions as much as I can and it worked,” he said.

What makes it more special for the Aussies is that they were without four key players at the beginning of the series and lost four more during the series. But they showed remarkable spirit and temperament to win the series with one match to go.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and to everyone’s surprise decided to bat first on a damp wicket under heavy weather conditions. India were soon reeling at 27 for 5 with the entire top order back in the hut, thanks to some outstanding swing bowling by Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger. The hosts could just not recover from there, getting bowled out for a modest 170. The Aussies then chased down the target in just 41.5 overs to finish off the game and win the series.

Virender Sehwag (6) opened the Indian innings with a six over point of Mitchell Johnson in the very first over. But that’s all he could manage as Johnson cleaned him up with a fast in-swinger on the fourth ball of the over. Johnson struck again one ball later, this time with a perfect out-swinger, rattling the stumps of Gautam Gambhir (0) and India were 7-2 at the end of the first over.

Doug Bollinger then accounted for Sachin Tendulkar (10), the master playing one straight back to the bowler. Yuvraj (6) was the next to go in what may be one of the most absurd dismissals ever in the history of the game. The ball ricocheted off Yuvraj’s pad over his right shoulder and as Yuvraj, clueless about where the ball went, turned behind to place the bat back inside the crease, he pushed it back to the stumps. Raina (0) went soon caught by Hauritz at mid-on off the bowling of Johnson and India were 27-5 in the 9^th over.

At that stage, even a three digit score seemed a distant possibility for the hosts. Fortunately for them, Ravindra Jadeja (57) and Praveen Kumar (54 not out), who slammed his maiden ODI half-century, did not throw in the towel and pushed the score to 170 in 48 overs before the hosts were bowled out, once again without using up their full quota of 50 overs. With the team in dire straits, Jadeja first added 48 runs with skipper Dhoni (24) and starred in a vital 74-run stand for the eighth wicket with Praveen to save India the blushes of being bowled out under 100.

Doug Bollinger (5/35) and Mitchell Johnson (3/39) shared eight wickets between them to virtually knock India out of the game.

Chasing a modest 171 to win, Australia rode on Shane Watson’s 49 off 49 balls while skipper Ricky Ponting (25) and Cameron White (25) chipped in with useful contributions before Michael Hussey (35 not out) and Adam Voges (23 not out) guided them to a comfortable win with more than 8 overs to spare.

Harbhajan Singh tried hard to make a match out of it finishing with figures of 2 for 23 off his 10 overs but 170 was always going to be difficult to defend.

Were the conditions so bad that the ball was swinging wildly? No. Was the pitch aiding alarming movement? No. Well, there was just a little bit of movement, in the air and off the pitch. India just needed to bat through the first hour and it would have been easy pickings after that but Australia exploited the conditions superbly to bundle India out and re-affirm their supremacy in the game.

The last match of the series will be played in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Brief Scores:

Australia 172 for 4 (Watson 49, Hussey 35*) beat India 170 (Jadeja 57, Praveen 54*, Bollinger 5-35) by six wickets

Man of the Match: Doug Bollinger.