Owais Shah’s brutal hitting guided the Wellington Firebirds to comfortable seven wicket win over the Canterbury Wizards.

The home team completed a well paced run chase in pursuit of 163 but it was a stunning 65 from 29 from Shah that made it seem easy.

The English International preferred to go the aerial route hitting seven sixes and only two fours as he entertained the large Wellington crowd that turned up to support the team.

Paul Hitchcock got the innings off to a snappy start with 23 from 11 with Cameron Merchant providing a run-a-ball 30.

Earlier, the Shannan Stewart lashed 57 from 33 to set up the Wizards innings with Michael Papps next best with 30 from 24. They threatened a much higher total but lost wickets in each of the last four overs.

Wellington welcomed back James Franklin to the bowling ranks as he returned the outstanding figures of two for 20. Andy McKay took four but went for 38 off his four overs.

The result gives both teams one win from two matches in the HRV Cup.

Courtesy: New Zealand Cricket http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/