Gul swoops on Black Caps as they face elimination

New Zealand hope Ross Taylor can be their saviour against Sri Lanka after a six-wicket hiding from Pakistan left them on the brink of elimination from the world Twenty20 cricket championship.

In the best traditions of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistani paceman Umar Gul bamboozled New Zealand with reverse swing to become the first bowler to take five wickets in a Twenty20 international early today (NZT).

His figures of five for six in 18 balls on a dream batting pitch at The Oval in London helped skittle New Zealand for 99 in 18.3 overs.

Pakistan cantered to their target in the 14th over, just four wickets down.

Sri Lanka are New Zealand's final Super Eights opponents early on Wednesday (12.30am NZT), but even a victory may not be enough to book a semifinal spot after their net run rate took a hit with the defeat.

Captain Daniel Vettori at least hoped big-hitting Taylor (hamstring) would return for one final fling after a horror injury toll which saw another key batsman Jesse Ryder (groin) ruled out for the tournament and Vettori only return today from a shoulder injury.

To add to their concerns, vice-captain Brendon McCullum appeared in discomfort after taking a tumble late in the match.

"I haven't caught up with [McCullum] yet, but knowing our luck at the moment it'll probably be something serious," Vettori told reporters.

"I got through the game fine and I'm confident of playing [Sri Lanka] and we're very hopeful Ross Taylor can get up because we know how big a game it is, and how important a player he is.

"The next couple of days are going to be big for us to try to get him fit, and if we get him into our team then it boosts us a lot."

A stunned Vettori struggled to explain how Gul ripped through his batsmen with reverse swing, previously unseen in the shortest form of the game.

The tall seamer was the sixth bowler introduced, in the 13th over, and swiftly removed New Zealand's topscorer Scott Styris for 22.

Then the carnage began as Gul trapped Peter McGlashan in front next ball, then hit the stumps of Nathan McCullum and James Franklin before removing Kyle Mills, first ball.

"I've never ever seen someone reverse the ball after 12 overs," Vettori said.

"Obviously he bowled really well. He got the ball to reverse and I don't think in the history of Twenty20 cricket anyone has got the ball to reverse.

"That made a massive difference today, with his pace and his accuracy as well as the ball reversing, he was a difficult proposition."

With Pakistan and Sri Lanka still to play group minnows Ireland, their net run rates will likely skyrocket and leave New Zealand needing a big win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday to get through.

"It's going to be a tough game, particularly with our run rate taking a hit today," Vettori said.

"Sri Lanka, along with South Africa, are probably the favourites for the tournament the way they're playing so we've got to step up to a big game.

"Hopefully Sri Lanka are already through to the semifinals and that may mean they rest some players or take their foot off a bit, but in saying that they're probably not a team that does that ever.

"It's our biggest game of the tournament and if we are to go any further, then we have to win it. If we don't, then we've only beaten Ireland and Scotland and it'll be a disappointing tournament."