Fiery Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhter sent down only nine balls in tonight's six-wicket loss to New Zealand in the National Bank series game at McLean Park in Napier.

Eight of the deliveries were sizzling efforts which made life uncomfortable for those on the receiving end.

Coming into the attack for the ninth over, by which time New Zealand was already 34 for one, Shoaib conceded a single to Nathan Astle from the first ball.

Then he welcomed New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming with a bouncer delivered from around the wicket and which flew so high it cleared Pakistan wicket-keeper Moin Khan.

Fleming had commented after Sunday's first game in the series that he would not say anything about Shoaib's action and added that if there were any problems of this type it was up to the bowling processes to look after them.

Shoaib seemed intent on proving he wasn't happy with Fleming's comments and bowled him a second bouncer to the next ball he faced.

Fleming had the last laugh however as 16 runs came from the over and New Zealand posted its 50 from 56 balls.

Nathan Astle was removed in the next over by Wasim Akram but in Shoaib's next over, he was only able to bowl three balls before limping off with what was at first described as a quadricep muscle problem but which his captain Moin Khan later said was a hamstring pull.

However, when limping from the ground Shoaib was rubbing the front of his leg rather than the back.

Moin said it was hoped Shoaib would be able to play in Wellington on Thursday but that wouldn't be known immediately.

Asked if there had been some conflict of words between them on the pitch, Fleming said he had not been able to understand what Shoaib had said to him.

Fleming said: "It was interesting, interesting behaviour."

© CricInfo