WELLINGTON: Misbahul Haq overcame the loss of late wickets to keep his cool and guide Pakistan to a two-wicket victory over New Zealand in their fourth One-Day International match in Napier Tuesday. Misbah, who has anchored Pakistan's batting throughout the tour of New Zealand, proved once again a thorn in the side of Daniel Vettori's team, scoring 93 not out as Pakistan finished on 264-8 in 49 overs having chased down the host's 262-7. The Pakistan Test captain, who had been coasting to the victory target while batting with Younus Khan (42), was forced to take all the responsibility of getting his side home when Younus was run out in the 38th over. Umar Akmal then scratched around for 10 off 17 balls before he was well caught in the 43rd over by Nathan McCullum off Vettori, who trapped Shahid Afridi in front two balls later to give New Zealand a faint hope of running through the bowlers to win the match and take a 2-1 lead in the best of six series. Misbah, however, and Abdul Razzaq (23) managed to keep pace with the required run rate and while Razzaq was well caught by a hobbling Vettori, Misbah smashed 10 runs off two balls from Scott Styris and Sohail Tanvir (14) hit three boundaries off Tim Southee the next over to see their side home. Late call-up James Franklin had proved the savior of New Zealand's innings, which was about 30 runs short of a par total on a good batting wicket with short square boundaries. Franklin was only brought into the side after Jesse Ryder, who injured a finger while playing for Wellington at the weekend, withdrew before play began. The left-hander, who had scores of 72 not out, 98 not out and 17 not out in his previous three innings in India last December, top-scored with 62 to help arrest New Zealand's mid-innings slump. The hosts had romped to 40 without loss but lost three wickets for four runs and then slumped to 79-5 before Franklin's 62-run partnership with Brendon McCullum (37) and a stand of 64 runs with Nathan McCullum (53 not out) halted the slide. Ponting returns Australia captain Ricky Ponting made a return to training Tuesday as he bids to be fit in time for the World Cup, while batsmen Callum Ferguson was rushed into the squad for the final two One-Day Internationals against England. Ponting broke his finger during the Boxing Day Test and was forced to have surgery. He has missed the entire one-day series against England, which Australia has already sealed 4-1 with its 51-run victory in Brisbane Sunday. Ponting spent about an hour batting in the nets on Tuesday, while fast bowler Shaun Tait, who broke down earlier in the series with a leg muscle strain also practiced and is expected to be available for the next match Wednesday in Sydney. Ferguson was called into the side as cover for the injured Shaun Marsh, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the series. The final game of the series in Perth Sunday.
