| 0.0 : Hello and welcome for the opening Test between Pakistan and New Zealand. Pakistan have recently fared well in the longest format, having beaten Australia, and there's much to be excited about watching them on the field. That is largely down to their new-found star Mohammad Abbas. Him against some quality Kiwi batsmen will be a battle to witness, especially against someone like Kane Williamson. |
| A stern challenge awaits the Black Caps. Firstly, it will be interesting to see what combination they go with. Unlike Pakistan, who have a more or less settled XI, New Zealand have a few new faces to incorporate. The visitors are a balanced, competitive outfit, so the onus will be upon the experienced players in the Pakistan ranks to really step up. All in all, it should be a good contest. The toss and other updates to soon follow. |
| TOSS - New Zealand win the toss and opt to bat first! An expected XI put out by Pakistan, with Hasan Ali getting a spot. Ajaz Patel will make his Test debut for New Zealand. Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme will be the seamers for the tourists, while Ish Sodhi and the debutant will take on the spin responsibilities. |
| We are ready to begin. Tom Latham and Jeet Raval make their way out to the middle, as the Pakistan team spreads out across the field taking their positions. Mohammad Abbas will take the new ball first up. Three slips and a gully in place for him. Let's roll... |
| 0.1 : M Abbas to Raval, FOUR! Fine way to start off! Full and just outside off, Raval leans into the shot and drives it crisply through the big gap in the covers. Finds the fence with ease. Jeet and New Zealand are away. |
| 0.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Much better. Hits the good length area around off, Raval has nothing to do with it. |
| 0.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Another one in the channel outside off, Raval makes another leave. |
| 0.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Oooofff! Well hello! Superb delivery. Bowls it in that channel around off, on a length and it nips away late. Raval looks to defend it from the crease but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 0.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Just ahead of a length on this occasion, blocked with a straight blade in response. |
| 0.6 : M Abbas to Raval, That wasn't far away either! So close to the off stump. Abbas serves an accurate length delivery around off, Raval makes a watchful leave. |
| Well... this is a surprise! Hasan Ali to share the new ball with Abbas from the other end. Three slips and a gully in place for him too. |
| 1.1 : H Ali to Latham, Spears in a full delivery on off stump, Latham brings a straight blade down in defense. |
| 1.2 : H Ali to Latham, On the fuller side of things, Latham comes on to the front foot and defends yet again. |
| 1.3 : H Ali to Latham, Shaping away from the left-hander, from a good length and outside off, no shot offered to that. |
| 1.4 : H Ali to Latham, Outside off yet again, another easy leave. |
| 1.5 : H Ali to Latham, FOUR! Shot. He'll feel good about that. Latham gets off the mark in style, much similar to his partner at the other end. It's full and outside off, he drives this well through the covers for a boundary. Good balance while playing that. |
| 1.6 : H Ali to Latham, In the channel outside off, left alone to end the over. |
| 2.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Good length ball on the fourth stump line, quite close to the off stump, but Raval keeps his eyes on the ball and lets it be. |
| 2.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Keeps it around that off stump channel, Jeet raises his bat and lets it through. |
| 2.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Good running between the wickets. Raval taps this down just wide of the short cover fielder and both batsmen hare across. |
| 2.4 : M Abbas to Latham, Fullish in length, just outside off, met with the full face of the bat. |
| 2.5 : M Abbas to Latham, Fraction straight in line, on a length, blocked down in front of square leg. Thinks about taking the single at first, but then decides against it. |
| 2.6 : M Abbas to Latham, A little too straight in line, it's clipped down to fine leg for one run. |
| 3.1 : H Ali to Latham, Length delivery attacking the off stick, patted away defensively on the off side. |
| 3.2 : H Ali to Latham, Angling away from Latham, he plays with the angle and taps it to the covers. |
| 3.3 : H Ali to Latham, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 3.4 : H Ali to Latham, Bowls it on the fifth stump line, Tom Latham covers the line, keeps his eyes on the ball and leaves it alone. |
| 3.5 : H Ali to Latham, Outside off once more, another easy leave for the batsman. |
| 3.6 : H Ali to Latham, Good carry on this occasion for Hasan Ali. He hurls it on a length in the off stump channel, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 4.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Seeing the ball land outside the line of off stump, Jeet shoulders his arms to it. |
| 4.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Too far outside off this time, another leave. |
| 4.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Make that three in a row. Similar ball, same thing done by the batsman. Left alone. |
| 4.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Switches the angle to around the wicket, angles in a length ball on off, forces Raval to play at this one. It is blocked. |
| 4.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Throws it outside off, Raval lets it go. |
| 4.6 : M Abbas to Raval, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump once again. Good, tight over from Abbas. |
| 5.1 : H Ali to Latham, Good timing on that. Latham offers a firm punch to this fuller length ball and finds the gap through the covers. Two runs result. |
| 5.2 : H Ali to Latham, Similar shot. Plays it through the covers to the man in the deep for two more. |
| 5.3 : H Ali to Latham, FOUR LEG BYES! Too straight from Hasan Ali, a length ball on leg. Latham looks to flick but it goes off his pads, past the diving keeper for a boundary. |
| 5.4 : H Ali to Latham, A touch straight in line, turned away on the leg side with soft hands. |
| 5.5 : H Ali to Latham, Outside off on a length, left alone. |
| 5.6 : H Ali to Latham, Shaping away from around off, Latham plants his front foot forward, covers the line and makes a watchful leave. |
| 6.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Abbas continues from around the wicket and pitches it wide outside off, no way Jeet Raval is going to bother himself with that. |
| 6.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Full length delivery on off stump, blocked by taking a big stride forward. |
| 6.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Angling in at first but then straightening up off the seam, worked straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 6.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Keeps it on the fuller side, around off, defensively pushed away to the cover area. |
| 6.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Coming in at first but then goes away, Jeet stays inside his crease and meets it with the full face. |
| 6.6 : M Abbas to Raval, Uses the angle into him to turn this away in front of square leg and get to the other end. |
| First bowling change for Pakistan. Bilal Asif is brought into the attack. The lone slip in place for him, along with a short leg. |
| 7.1 : B Asif to Raval, Short, flat and quick on off, Raval goes back and punches it to the man at cover. |
| 7.2 : B Asif to Raval, Slows this one up. Loops it up on off, Raval comes forward to keep it out. |
| 7.3 : B Asif to Raval, Nicely tosses it up on middle and off, Raval brings his bat ahead of his pad and defends. |
| 7.4 : B Asif to Raval, A touch quicker through the air, around off, blocked. |
| 7.5 : B Asif to J Raval, Pushes this floated delivery through the cover area for a single. |
| 7.6 : B Asif to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 8.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Wow. That was close. Really close. Abbas bowls this full, makes it comes in and then it goes away late. Raval has no option but to play at it. Comes forward, hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 8.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Full delivery outside off, a mistimed drive finds its way to the cover fielder. |
| 8.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Good length delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 8.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Full ball attacking the stumps, driven straight back in the bowler's direction. |
| 8.5 : M Abbas to Raval, On a length, on off, kept out from within the crease. |
| 8.6 : M Abbas to Raval, So this is smart by Raval. He's standing well outside the crease to deal with Abbas' swing. Works too, as he defends it a bit square on the off side. |
| 9.1 : B Asif to Latham, Quite slow through the air from around the wicket, spinning away outside off. No shot offered by Latham. |
| 9.2 : B Asif to Latham, Well outside off, going away again, Tommy Latham lets it be. |
| 9.3 : B Asif to Latham, Drifting in on off, turning away, Tom stays inside the crease and defends it down on the off side. |
| 9.4 : B Asif to Latham, Latham shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 9.5 : B Asif to Latham, Flatter and shorter outside off, guarded out safely. |
| 9.6 : B Asif to Latham, On the shorter side of things again, it's played back to the bowler. End of the over. |
| 10.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Fires it full and just outside off, driven to the covers. |
| 10.2 : M Abbas to Raval, OUT! And he strikes! What a delivery from a superb bowler. Bowls it a tad fuller outside off, it's angling in at first but then it moves away ever so slightly. Raval is forced to play at it and is undone by the late movement. The edge is taken and it's a regulation take for captain Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps. |
| Skipper Kane Williamson is in at no.3. |
| 10.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Fuller length delivery on off, Williamson defends it well towards mid-wicket. |
| 10.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Brings it in a little, on middle this time, Williamson gets right behind the line and blocks it in the same area. |
| 10.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Shaping away from outside off, Kane makes a rather simple leave. |
| 10.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, A length ball which is in the channel just outside off, blocked by taking a step forward. Good over from Abbas comes to an end. A wicket maiden for him. |
| 11.1 : B Asif to Latham, Quicker off break outside off, short too, Latham goes back and forces it to covers. |
| 11.2 : B Asif to Latham, A bit fuller around off, kept out from inside the crease. |
| 11.3 : B Asif to Latham, Lands it short once more, Tom is on the back foot to keep this out. |
| 11.4 : B Asif to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 11.5 : B Asif to Latham, Rocks on the back foot and guards it out without much trouble. |
| 11.6 : B Asif to Latham, FOUR! That's a very good shot from Tom Latham. Bilal loops it up on off stump, the southpaw leans into the shot and wrists it through the left of mid on for a boundary. |
| 12.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length just on top of off stump, Williamson defends solidly on the back foot. |
| 12.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good ball just outside off, Williamson is good in defense though. |
| 12.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Similar ball again, and well defended again by Williamson. |
| 12.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Length ball outside off, comes ahead and defends again. |
| 12.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Slightly full this time, and Williamson is off the mark with a flick to mid-wicket. The batsmen run three. Good running! |
| 12.6 : M Abbas to Latham, Around the wicket to Latham, just ahead of a good length and on off stump. Latham comes ahead and defends with the straight bat. Umpire signals for Drinks to come onto the field. |
| The first Drinks of the match is on the field now! A very sedate start to the day by the Black Caps. Abbas has struck to dismiss Raval, but Latham and Williamson are looking good out there. The pitch is looking like a flat cement road and beautiful for batting. A long day for the bowlers and fielders seems to be in store! |
| 13.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Shorter and on off stump, Williamson flicks it to square leg. |
| 13.2 : B Asif to Williamson, Looped up this time, kept out on the front foot. |
| 13.3 : B Asif to Williamson, FOUR! Quick feet from the skipper and the good length ball on off is flicked away through mid-wicket for his first boundary. |
| 13.4 : B Asif to Williamson, Flighted on off, defended after coming ahead by KW. |
| 13.5 : B Asif to Williamson, Looped up outside off, dead-batted onto the ground. |
| 13.6 : B Asif to Williamson, Flatter outside off this time, Kane rocks back and punches it through the covers for three. |
| Yasir Shah is into the attack now. |
| 14.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short one to start off with outside off stump, Kane cuts it to sweeper and picks up one. |
| 14.2 : Y Shah to Latham, Short and spinning quite a bit down the leg, huge appeal from the keeper and Yasir for caught behind. But the ball seems to have grazed the thigh pad before Sarfaraz takes it. Umpire wants nothing to do with it. |
| 14.3 : Y Shah to Latham, Shorter and on off stump, Latham stays back and defends. |
| 14.4 : Y Shah to Latham, OUT! Caught by Hafeez at short mid-wicket! A very soft dismissal to be honest. The ball was flighted on off and turned in a bit after landing, Latham is brought forward into a shot and plays it in the air towards mid-wicket and Hafeez is there to take the simplest of catches. A wicket thrown away by New Zealand. Yasir is pumped up! |
| Ross Taylor is next in to bat. |
| 14.5 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flatter and quicker on middle, Taylor defends off the back foot. |
| 14.6 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flighted this time, Taylor comes ahead and dead bats it into the ground. |
| Hasan Ali is back on. |
| 15.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length outside off, Williamson defends it safely to cover. |
| 15.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Slightly fuller this time, Kane gets right behind the line of the ball and defends it. |
| 15.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Just short of a good length outside off, William cuts it straight to point this time. Well timed but no run. |
| 15.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Pitching on off stump and shaping in slightly, Williamson isn't troubled. Defends it to short mid-wicket. |
| 15.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Shorter and outside off, Williamson plays it away to cover. |
| 15.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Good variation from Hasan, fuller and on middle and shapes in after landing. Williamson looks to flick it and misses as the ball hits his pad. Sarfaraz and the bowler consider reviewing but too much time has passed and they don't in the end. Good decision not to review in hindsight as the replays show the ball would've missed leg stump. |
| 16.1 : Y Shah to R Taylor, Spinning away from around off, Taylor looks to defend but it goes off the edge behind square on the off side. |
| 16.2 : Y Shah to Taylor, Taylor rocks onto the back foot and punches it through to sweeper cover for one. |
| 16.3 : Shah to Williamson, Darted in full on the stumps, jammed out well to keep it at bay. |
| 16.4 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and flat from the leggie, Kane is back as he whips this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.5 : Y Shah to Taylor, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 16.6 : Y Shah to Taylor, Looped right up there, Taylor brings his bat ahead of his pad and blocks it out. |
| 17.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Good ball to start the over, on length and off stump line, well defended by Kane though. |
| 17.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Slightly fuller and outside off, Kane covers the line of the ball and defends it. |
| 17.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Length ball shaping in on off stump, the skipper defends it comfortably. |
| 17.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Shorter this time outside off, Kane punches it towards point. |
| 17.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Slightly fuller outside off, Williamson defends on the front foot. |
| 17.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length and shaping in again on off stump, Kane plays the backfoot on drive to mid on. |
| 18.1 : Y Shah to Taylor, Quicker one on off stump, Taylor tries to cut but gets the inside half and goes back to the bowler. |
| 18.2 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flighted outside off, driven to short cover. |
| 18.3 : Y Shah to Taylor, Fuller on the pads this time, Taylor drives to mid on. |
| 18.4 : Y Shah to Taylor, Slightly shorter, Taylor defends on the back foot. |
| 18.5 : Y Shah to Taylor, Outside off and spins away, Taylor leaves it alone. |
| 18.6 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flighted outside off, Taylor wants to drive but gets the inside half again and just pushes it to cover in the end. |
| 19.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Lands it on a good length outside off, holding its line, Kane watches the line closely and lets it be. |
| 19.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Back of a length delivery around off, Williamson goes on the back foot and punches it through the line. Finds the cover fielder. Looking quite good and composed at the crease, the Kiwi skipper. |
| 19.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Brings a length ball back into the batsman from around off, Williamson stays back and closes the face of the bat to play it towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 19.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length delivery on off, Kane goes on the back foot and pushes it towards the mid on fielder. |
| 19.5 : H Ali to Williamson, This time the length is full and in line of the stumps, Williamson immediately gets behind the delivery and keeps it out safely towards mid-wicket. |
| 19.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Fractionally short and on off, Williamson rocks back and blocks it safely towards mid on. A maiden over. |
| 20.1 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flighted delivery, on the shorter side around off, Taylor moves back and slaps it with the spin through point for a run. |
| 20.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Extra flight this time, full and drifting in around off, Kane presses forward in defense. |
| 20.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Once again Yasir gives it a good toss and lands it full on middle, Williamson defends it back from the inner half of the bat. |
| 20.4 : Y Shah to Williamson, Loopy and on off, a shade short in length, Kane pushes his weight on the back foot and punches it through the cover region for a run. |
| 20.5 : Shah to Taylor, OUT! Caught behind! Lovely bowling by the leggie and he has hunted down New Zealand's most experienced played. He once again gives it a nice loop and lands his leggie on a fuller length just outside off. Taylor, with a sorry footwork, feels for it inside the line and the ball spins away a bit to take the outside edge. Sarfraz makes no mistake behind the wickets and Taylor immediately walks back without even waiting for the decision. New Zealand slip further. Don't think the |
| Henry Nicholls is in next. |
| 20.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Appeal for an lbw! A tossed up ball on middle, turning back in at 83.3 kph, Nicholls prods forward to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. Later, Pakistan think about reviewing it but then decide against it. Good call. End of a successful over. |
| 21.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Kane is timing his shots beautifully. Needless to say, he holds the key from hereon. Gets on the front foot to a full ball and drives it in the gap at covers for a run. |
| 21.2 : H Ali to Nicholls, Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Nicholls goes on the back foot and defends. |
| 21.3 : H Ali to Nicholls, Switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball on middle and off, Nicholls covers the line and blocks it safely. |
| 21.4 : H Ali to Nicholls, Nice tempting line. Hasan pitches it up and outside off, inviting the drive but Henry lets it go to the keeper. |
| 21.5 : H Ali to Nicholls, Slightly short in length and angling into the batsman from outside off, Nicholls blocks it solidly to the off side. |
| 21.6 : H Ali to Nicholls, Alters his length this time and spears in a full ball on middle and off, Henry gets behind the line and pushes it out to covers. |
| 22.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Flatter and shorter on off, Williamson goes back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. He is showing to his batsmen that there isn't anything to worry about in this surface. |
| 22.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Surrounded by four close-in fielders, Henry Nicholls. Still he keeps a calm head to a shortish ball and punches it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 22.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Quicker through the air, flat and on middle, Nicholls gets back and blocks it. |
| 22.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Lands it full and on off, Nicholls lunges and defends it watchfully. |
| 22.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, An attempted googly on middle and off, a bit on the shorter side, Henry goes back in defense. |
| 22.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Loopy and full, landing on off, Henry is just a little tentative in getting on the front foot as he defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 23.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Bouncer but wayward down the legside, Williamson just ducks under it. |
| 23.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length and just outside off, Kane comes ahead and defends confidently. |
| 23.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length and well outside off this time, the skipper lets it go through. |
| 23.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Yorker length and outside off, Williamson digs it into the ground. |
| 23.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Back to good length and slightly shaping in, Kane defends to cover. |
| 23.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Slightly short of length and on top of off stump, Williamson defends to mid on. |
| Second Drinks break of the session. In case you are wondering why, the first session in U.A.E on Fridays is slightly extended due to prayers and Lunch will be a one-hour break. |
| 24.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flighted on middle, Nicholls comes ahead and defends. |
| 24.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Similar delivery, the batsman comes ahead and keeps it out. |
| 24.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, FOUR! Nicholls charges down the wicket to a loopy delivery on middle and hits it over mid on cleanly. A boundary results. |
| 24.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and flighted outside off, Nicholls comes ahead and defends. |
| 24.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flatter ball on middle, the batsman goes back and defends on the back foot this time. |
| 24.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flighted delivery to end the over, Nicholls comes forward and dead bats it. |
| Bilal Asif is back into the bowling attack. |
| 25.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Short and outside off, Williamson cuts it but it goes straight to point. |
| 25.2 : B Asif to Williamson, Loopy ball on off stump but turns in a bit and is played away behind square on the leg side for a single by the skipper. |
| 25.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Quicker ball on off stump, Nicholls stays back and defends it. |
| 25.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Full and flighted, Nicholls comes ahead and defends with a straight bat. |
| 25.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flatter ball and turns slightly, Nicholls defends on the back foot towards the off side. |
| 25.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Shorter length on middle, bounces a little more and is defended from within the crease by the batsman. |
| 26.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, FOUR! Flatter and quicker on the pads, Williamson picks up the length very quickly and rocks back and flicks it away front of square on the leg side four a beautiful boundary. Also brings up the 50 for New Zealand. |
| 26.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and wide outside off, Williamson looks to cut and the ball takes a thick edge and goes in the air to left of point. "Catch it!" is the shout from Sarfaraz but it was pretty far away from the fielder. The batsmen pick up three. |
| 26.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shorter and on the pads, defended off the back foot. |
| 26.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and flighted outside off, Nicholls comes ahead and dead bats it. |
| 26.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flighted outside off, Nicholls plays the cover drive against the spin and gets in the gap for a couple of runs. |
| 26.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flatter ball and on off, the batsman goes back and defends it comfortably. |
| 27.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Short ball and on off stump, Williamson moves slightly and plays to deep square leg for a run. |
| 27.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flighted outside off, draws Nicholls ahead but he defends well. |
| 27.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flatter and quicker this time on middle, Nicholls goes back and defends. |
| 27.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Full and quick outside off, the batsman comes ahead and defends with a straight bat. |
| 27.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Shorter again this time, the batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. |
| 27.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flighted on middle, Nicholls defends it after getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, FOUR! Classic Williamson here! Flatter ball well outside off, but the skipper flicks it to the deep mid-wicket boundary for four. |
| 28.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Fuller in length this time, KW comes ahead and defends. |
| 28.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Quicker delivery on off stump line, Williamson is quick to come ahead and defend. |
| 28.4 : Y Shah to Williamson, Overpitched and played by Kane to the short mid-wicket fielder that's just been brought a little straighter. |
| 28.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and spinning away outside off, Williamson cuts it straight to point. |
| 28.6 : Y Shah to Williamson, Full and driven to deep extra cover for a run. |
| 29.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Full and at the pads, played to short square leg. |
| 29.2 : B Asif to Williamson, Even shorter this time, Williamson rocks back and pulls it but it goes straight to the fielder at square leg again. |
| 29.3 : B Asif to Williamson, Slightly fuller this time but at the pads, Williamson works it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 29.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flighted on off stump, Nicholls comes ahead and defends. |
| 29.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Shorter ball on middle, the batsman goes back and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 29.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Loopy delivery on off stump, Nicholls comes forward and defends it well. |
| 30.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, On off stump and turning away but Kane gets down and paddle sweeps it towards fine leg. They run three. |
| 30.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and fast on leg stump, Nicholls gets his bat ahead of his front pad and defends it. |
| 30.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Goes around the wicket now, pitches outside off on a full length. Nicholls sweeps it in front of square on the leg side for a couple. |
| 30.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shorter ball and turning into the left-hander, he defends off the back foot. |
| 30.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Fuller and outside off, Nicholls sweeps it to short fine leg. |
| 30.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Nicholls tries to sweep again on a similar length delivery and finds the fielder again. No run. |
| 31.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Flighted on the stumps from around the wicket, goes back and turns it with the spin past short leg for a single. |
| 31.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, A lot of air on this, landed on off, Henry is well forward in defense. |
| 31.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Lovely. Really slow through the air, on off, spins away and beats the outside edge of Henry Nicholls' bat. Beaten in the flight. |
| 31.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Sliding in on middle and leg, Nicholls works it off his pads on the leg side. |
| 31.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Similar kind of ball, it's defended down on the leg side once more. |
| 31.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 32.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, That must have hurt! Yikes! Williamson goes and pulls it with a lot of power. Unfortunately, catches Imam on the inside of the thigh. Lucky it wasn't a bit to his left, would have done some serious damage. |
| 0.0 : The physio is out to have a look at Imam. The magic spray is out. Should be fine to continue. |
| 32.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and wide outside off, slapped through to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 32.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, From around the wicket, it's tossed up on middle and off. Spins in as the left-hander presses forward and buries it into the track. |
| 32.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Spinning in from middle, it goes off Nicholls' pads and Imam at short leg takes the catch. Pakistan appeal, but to no avail. |
| 32.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Goes with the spin and turns it away on the on side. |
| 32.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Positions himself right behind the line of the ball and defends. |
| 33.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Bilal continues from around the wicket, pitches it on off. Williamson backs away and punches it a bit square on the off side for a double. |
| 33.2 : B Asif to Williamson, Uses the depth of the crease to go inside and work it down in front of short leg. |
| 33.3 : B Asif to K Williamson, A lot of flight on this, on leg, swept down to fine leg for one. |
| 33.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Drifting in on middle and then turning away, some pace given to this. It is kept out from the back foot. |
| 33.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 33.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, FOUR! Too straight in line and it's put away. Tossed up on middle and leg, Nicholls gets low and sweeps it through the square leg area to send it across the boundary line. |
| 34.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Pushed quicker through the air, on the stumps, from over the wicket. Kane prods forward and pushes it away. |
| 34.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Knocks it into the covers and gets to the other end. |
| The umpire is checking the shape. Cuts off some of the threads off it and we're good to continue. |
| 34.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Looped up leg break attacking the stumps, blocked right under his nose. |
| 34.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full outside off, Nicholls gets forward and across as he drags the sweep behind square leg. Wants the run but it's too close to the fielder. |
| 34.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Waits for the ball to come to him before guarding it out off the back foot. |
| 34.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shifts his weight on the back foot and turns it to backward square leg. |
| Haris Sohail will roll his arm over. |
| 35.1 : H Sohail to Williamson, Starts from around the wicket, serves it around off and it spins away. Williamson leaves it alone. |
| 35.2 : H Sohail to Williamson, A touch shorter around off, Kane camps back and pushes it away from the body on the off side. |
| 35.3 : H Sohail to Williamson, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 35.4 : H Sohail to K Williamson, Goes with the spin and drives it through the gap in the covers. One run collected. |
| 35.5 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Spinning in on middle and leg, easy enough for Henry to sweep it behind square leg for a single. |
| 35.6 : H Sohail to Williamson, Full on the stumps, guarded out well. |
| Mohammad Hafeez is on now. Probably the last over before Lunch. |
| 36.1 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Quicker through the air around off, met with the full face of the bat. |
| 36.2 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Straighter in line, worked in front of short mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Some flight on this, on off stump, Nicholls presses forward to meet it with a straight bat. |
| 36.4 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Nicholls has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.5 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Watches the ball as it comes to him and blocks. |
| 36.6 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Drifting in on a fuller length, around off, nicely negotiated by the left-hander. That's LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| A grinding session for New Zealand, and Pakistan too in all honesty. The surface didn't have much to offer, but despite that, Pakistan have managed to pick three wickets, which will particularly please them after losing the toss. Abbas started it all off by removing Raval first, Yasir joined in and got rid of both Latham and Taylor rather quickly. Williamson, who is looking quite assured as always, has since joined hands with Nicholls to put 81 on the board with their stand currently on 42. |
| Batting usually gets easier in the afternoon session, so New Zealand will look to score a bit freely. Though, they will remember that the ball is turning, so they have to be wary of the Pakistan spinners. Remember, it's an extended Lunch break due to the Friday prayers, so play will resume at 1330 local (0930 GMT). |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls will carry on from where they left off. Yasir Shah to take the ball first. A slip and a short leg in place. |
| 37.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, First ball after lunch is flighted outside off, Williamson drives it to covers for a single. |
| 37.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Around the wicket to the left-hander, looped up outside off, turns into Nicholls who comes ahead and defends. |
| 37.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Loopy outside off again, Nicholls comes and sweeps it to fine leg for a couple. Little risky but plays it well in the end. |
| 37.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 37.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Slightly shorter, Nicholls goes back and defends off the back foot. |
| 37.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Way outside off, Nicholls prods well forward and defends it to short cover. |
| Mohammad Abbas to bowl some medium pace from the other end. |
| 38.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Short of a length on off, Williamson defends to cover off the back foot. |
| 38.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, Slightly ahead this time on off stump, Williamson plays it to mid-wicket. |
| 38.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length outside off and shaping in slightly, Williamson lets it go. |
| 38.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length on off stump, the NZ skipper just defends it back with a straight bat calmly. |
| 38.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Length delivery and Abbas is pegging away at off stump, Williamson is unperturbed and defends again. |
| 38.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, Fuller this time on off, Williamson defends it to mid on. |
| 39.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shorter length outside off, spins into Nicholls. He wants to push it to square leg but it hits forward short leg. |
| 39.2 : Shah to Nicholls, Good spin on this one, landing outside off and spins enough to beat Nicholls' bat who wants to defend it. He gets hit high on the pad. Pakistan appeal but aren't too vociferous. |
| 39.3 : Y Shah to H Nicholls, This one keeps low, ball is fuller and outside off. It turns in and keeps low on the stumps, Nicholls gets down in time and pulls it to square leg. |
| 39.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, FOUR! Nice-looking shot from Nicholls. He stays back to a short pitched ball and punches it straight down the ground to long on for four runs. Sarfraz isn't too pleased with the mid on fielder's effort. |
| 39.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, FOUR! Swept away this time. Outside off and flighted, Nicholls goes down early and sweeps it away behind square leg for another boundary. It also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two. |
| 39.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full on off stump, Nicholls comes ahead and defends it. |
| 40.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length and on off stump. Williamson defends it with a straight bat. |
| 40.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, Full and on off again, Kane will keep those out all day long. |
| 40.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Short and bowled a little wide off the crease, Williamson looks to punch it off the back foot but doesn't connect well. |
| 40.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Elegant shot from the NZ skipper here, it was full and just outside off, he goes ahead and times it beautifully in the gap through the covers. It is a long chase for Azhar Ali who does well in the end to save one run for his team. There are plenty of replays being looked at before the umpire decides it's a legal stop. |
| 40.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Short and on middle, Nicholls defends it on the back foot. |
| 40.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Fuller length this time, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground on the off side. |
| 41.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, FOUR! Easy pickings! Very short and on middle. Kane stays low and pulls it away to deep square leg for four easily. |
| 41.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, 50 up for Williamson! He is such a consistent performer. The ball is short and wide outside off, Williamson just dabs it behind point and comes back for two. Making batting look very easy here. It is his 27th fifty in Test cricket. He will be looking to go big in this innings. |
| 41.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Full and flighted, Kane covers the spin and keeps it out. |
| 41.4 : Y Shah to K Williamson, Looped up full outside off, Kane drives it through extra cover for another couple. |
| 41.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and outside off, Williamson just pushes it away to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 41.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off from around the wicket to Nicholls. He comes ahead and dead bats it. |
| 42.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length on off stump, Williamson presents the full face of the bat as he defends it. |
| 42.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, What happened there? Kept a little low after bouncing on a length outside off. Kane was trying to defend it but it took the inside edge and fell down on the leg side. |
| 42.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Similar delivery but the bounce is true this time. Kane defends it straight back to the bowler. |
| 42.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length ball a bit wide outside off, Williamson shoulders his arms to it. |
| 42.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length ball on off stump, Williamson shows off his textbook back foot defense again. |
| 42.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, Length ball outside off again, Kane is slightly ahead and defends it toward point. |
| Hasan Ali is back into the attack. |
| 43.1 : H Ali to Nicholls, Around the wicket to the leftie, outside off and on a good length. The ball shapes away slightly after landing. Nicholls leaves it alone. |
| 43.2 : H Ali to Nicholls, Full and outside off, Nicholls drives it between point and cover and the fielder dives and stops it just in front of the boundary. 3 runs have been picked up. |
| 43.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Outside off stump and slightly fuller than good length, Kane decides to leave it alone. |
| 43.4 : H Ali to Williamson, This one is on a similar length but comes in slightly after landing. Kane watcfully lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 43.5 : H Ali to Williamson, FOUR! The ball is short and outside off, this is a great cut shot behind point for a boundary from the New Zealand captain. |
| 43.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length and on off stump, Kane goes back and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 44.1 : M Abbas to Nicholls, OUT! Caught by Sarfraz. Nothing shot from Nicholls, very less foot movement on this one. He just drives expansively from his crease and gets the outside edge which is safely pouched by a diving Sarfraz to his left. The ball was full and outside off and was actually a half volley but instead Pakistan have been presented with a wicket. |
| 0.0 : BJ Watling is the new batsman. |
| 44.2 : M Abbas to Watling, Good yorker length delivery to welcome Watling to the crease. He defends it watchfully. |
| 44.3 : M Abbas to Watling, Short and outside off, Watling defends on the back foot to cover. |
| 44.4 : M Abbas to Watling, A carbon copy of the previous delivery. And a similar shot played by the batsman as well. |
| 44.5 : M Abbas to Watling, Fuller in length and on middle this time, Watling defends it to mid on. |
| 44.6 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length on off stump. Abbas is relentless, Watling defends it to mid off. |
| 45.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length ball outside off, calmly defended into the ground on the off side by Kane. |
| 45.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Slightly short of a good length, Williamson guides it toward gully. |
| 45.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Length ball just outside off. Well judged leave by the skipper this time. |
| 45.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Back to short of a good length on top of off, William punches it back down the ground with a straight bat. |
| 45.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Beautiful shot from Williamson. Asad Shafiq gives chase and stops it just inside the boundary. Ball was on a good length and outside off, he drives it elegantly in the gap through the covers and picks up 3 runs. |
| 45.6 : H Ali to Watling, Full and angling into the pads, Watling tucks it away behind square on the leg side to get off the mark. |
| 46.1 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length on off stump from Abbas again, Watling defends it on the front foot. |
| 46.2 : M Abbas to Watling, Length delivery again on the top of off, Watling stays back to defend it straight. |
| 46.3 : M Abbas to Watling, This one skids after landing on a good length on off stump, Watling is quick to come ahead, stays down and defends it with ease. |
| 46.4 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length ball again outside off, Watling just keeps it out by playing it back straight. |
| 46.5 : M Abbas to BJ Watling, Fuller and angling in to middle, Watling drives to mid on. |
| 46.6 : M Abbas to Watling, Shorter this time, Watling stays back and defends it. |
| 47.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Full and outside off, slight shape which is covered and defended on front foot by Kane. |
| 47.2 : H Ali to Williamson, This one is short and outside off, Williamson pulls it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 47.3 : H Ali to Watling, FOUR! This ball is on a length and outside off, Watling plays it with soft hands and guides it to the third man boundary. |
| 47.4 : H Ali to Watling, Good length ball just outside off, Watling stays back and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 47.5 : H Ali to Watling, Length ball well outside off, Watling shoulders his arm to this one. |
| 47.6 : H Ali to Watling, Just short of a good length and comes in after landing, Watling defends it to mid on off the back foot. |
| Haris Sohail has been brought back into the attack. Not sure if it's needed, maybe to give a change of ends to his main bowlers. |
| 48.1 : H Sohail to Williamson, Flighted on middle, Williamson prods forward and dead bats it. |
| 48.2 : H Sohail to Williamson, Short and outside off, cut away by the skipper to get a single. |
| 48.3 : H Sohail to Watling, Full and on middle, Watling's turn to defend now. |
| 48.4 : H Sohail to Watling, Flatter one fired at the pads, Watling turns it away behind square leg for a run. |
| 48.5 : H Sohail to Williamson, Full and at the pads, Williamson pushes it to square leg for a single. He wants two but then decides against it. |
| 48.6 : H Sohail to Watling, Shorter and on middle, Watling goes back and defends it showing the full face of the bat. |
| 49.1 : H Ali to Williamson, OUT! Caught by Sarfraz. Pakistan have got another gift, Williamson and New Zealand will be really disappointed. The ball was a short one and going down leg, the Blackcaps skipper was looking to pull it behind square leg and gets the slightest feather to the wicket-keeper. He was looking so good out there in the middle but has just a minor lapse of concentration and thrown it away. It was going down leg and was an easy run scoring opportunity. This is a huge wicket and |
| 0.0 : Drinks break. Meanwhile, Colin de Grandhomme has joined Watling in the middle. |
| 49.2 : H Ali to Grandhomme, Out! LBW by Hasan Ali. Grandhomme gets a reverse swinging beauty on a good length, the first ball he faces. He is late on his defensive prod straight and gets hit on the pad in front of middle stump. There was no chance that was missing or going above the stumps. Colin asks Watling if he should go upstairs, but is smartly advised not to. Hasan Ali on a hat-trick! |
| Ish Sodhi to face the hat-trick ball. |
| 49.3 : H Ali to Sodhi, No hat-trick for Hasan. The ball is on good length and on off stump, Ish Sodhi defends it well and back to the bowler. |
| 49.4 : H Ali to Sodhi, Full and on off stump again, Sodhi defends it with the full face of the bat again. |
| 49.5 : H Ali to Sodhi, Bouncer aimed at the head, Ish ducks under it and lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 49.6 : H Ali to Sodhi, FOUR! This was an attempted yorker, Sodhi takes it on the full and pushes it down to long off where there is a huge gap. The ball rolls all along the ground for four runs. |
| 50.1 : H Sohail to Watling, Flighted full ball on leg, Watling plays it out off his pads to mid-wicket. |
| 50.2 : H Sohail to Watling, Flatter and bit shorter on off, BJ punches it off his back foot to mid off. |
| 50.3 : H Sohail to Watling, This one skids back in from around off, Watling blocks it solidly. |
| 50.4 : H Sohail to Watling, Shortish and on off, stroked off the back foot through covers for a run. |
| 50.5 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Slower through the air, full and on middle, Sodhi gets forward and offers a straight bat in defense. |
| Ish Sodhi has been adjudged lbw! He immediately reviews. Looks quite adjacent but is there any bat? |
| 50.6 : H Sohail to Sodhi, OUT! What a decision! Sodhi has to depart. New Zealand are now seven down and are in danger to get bowled out under 150. A flighted delivery landing full around leg. It straightens a touch after hitting the deck as Sodhi tries to defend it near his front pad. As soon has the connection is made, Pakistan go up in a huge extended appeal for an lbw. They think it's pad first and the umpire after thinking for a while raises his finger. Ish, however, feels that he has middled |
| Neil Wagner is in next. |
| 51.1 : H Ali to Watling, Good length ball on off stump, Watling defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 51.2 : H Ali to Watling, Surprise bouncer there! Short and aimed at the head, Watling ducks under it and lets it go. |
| 51.3 : H Ali to Watling, Length ball outside off, Watling wants to punch it through the off side but gets the inside half of the bat and the ball rolls to mid on. |
| 51.4 : H Ali to Watling, Full and slightly moves in after landing, Watling plays it to mid on with a straight bat. |
| 51.5 : H Ali to Watling, Second bouncer of the over, Watling ducks under it safely. |
| 51.6 : H Ali to Watling, Short of a length and on off stump, Watling goes back in the crease and defends it. |
| 52.1 : H Sohail to Wagner, Over the wicker to Wagner, good ball turning into the batsman, Wagner defends on the back foot. |
| 52.2 : H Sohail to Wagner, Fuller this time outside off, Wagner prods ahead and defends. |
| 52.3 : H Sohail to Wagner, Shorter and outside off, Wagner punches it square on the off side for a couple. |
| 52.4 : H Sohail to Wagner, Flatter and quicker this time on off, Wagner goes back and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 52.5 : H Sohail to Wagner, WOAH! Lots of spin on this one, starts outside off and ends way down the leg side. Wagner wants to flick it but the turn beats him completely. Good take by Sarfraz down the leg side. |
| 52.6 : H Sohail to Wagner, Things are happening here! This ball pitches way outside off stump line and rips in. Takes the inside edge and onto the pads of Wagner who was playing a defensive shot on the back foot. Would've been a gonner if not for the edge. On a hindsight it looks like the impact was outside off as well and a bit high too. |
| 53.1 : H Ali to Watling, Good length delivery on off, shaping back in, Watling stays back and defends it in the direction of the bowler. |
| 53.2 : H Ali to Watling, Angling into the batsman, on middle and off, BJ covers the line and blocks it with a straight bat towards mid on. |
| 53.3 : H Ali to Watling, Goes for the yorker this time but ends up serving a half-volley on off, Watling does well to work it wide of mid on for a couple of runs. Reverse swing is happening and Hasan is getting it in abundance. |
| 53.4 : H Ali to Watling, On a length around off, defended off the back foot to the off side. |
| 53.5 : H Ali to Watling, Pitches it up and outside off, it's driven off the front foot through extra cover. The mid off fielder moves across to his left to stop the ball and they collect a run. |
| 53.6 : H Ali to Wagner, Switched to 'round the wicket and lands it on a length outside off, Wagner defends it soundly to the off side. |
| BJ Watling has been given out leg before. The DRS has been taken. No choice, he has to take it upstairs. Height is the only thing that can save him. |
| 54.1 : H Sohail to Watling, OUT! What a ripper! This ball lands on leg stump and turns a mile to beat the bat of Watling who was on the back foot trying to defend this one onto the leg side. Watling will have to go. There are three reds on the Ball Tracker. And the on-field decision remains. The last recognized batsman departs and New Zealand are in all sorts of trouble now. |
| 0.0 : Debutant Ajaz Patel is in next. |
| 54.2 : H Sohail to Patel, Another huge appeal! The impact is surely outside off on this one. The ball pitches outside off and comes in a long way to hit Ajaz on the pads. But he had come a long way ahead and the impact is outside off. |
| 54.3 : H Sohail to A Patel, Fuller and outside off, Ajaz pushes it through the covers for a single. |
| 54.4 : H Sohail to Wagner, Flatter and quicker on off this time, Wagner goes back and defends. |
| 54.5 : H Sohail to Wagner, Flighted on off, Wagner comes well ahead to play this with a straight bat. |
| 54.6 : H Sohail to Wagner, Quicker and full this time, Wagner plays the back foot punch to the off side at the last moment and doesn't connect well. No run to end yet another successful over for New Zealand. |
| 55.1 : H Ali to Patel, What a jaffa! Too good for a no.10 batsman. Lands on off stump and moves away after landing. Misses the outside edge by a whisker. |
| 55.2 : H Ali to Patel, On a length outside off, Ajaz covers the swing this time and defends it on the back foot. |
| 55.3 : Ali to Patel, Fuller and on off, Ajaz plays it with a straight bat. |
| 55.4 : H Ali to Patel, Overpitched outside off, Ajaz mistimes his drive towards cover. The batsmen run through for a quick single. |
| 55.5 : H Ali to Wagner, Short of a good length and above the off pole, Wagner defends it off the back foot. |
| 55.6 : H Ali to Wagner, Another good ball, this one is slightly fuller of a good length and Wagner is defending it but the ball moves slightly to miss the edge. |
| 56.1 : H Sohail to Patel, Full and flighted outside off, Ajaz looks to play the drive but gets the inside edge on the bottom part of the bat. It goes on to hit the keeper's pads. |
| 56.2 : H Sohail to Patel, Flighted and lots of turn after landing outside off. It comes in to hit the batsman's pad and the ball lobs away to the off side. |
| 56.3 : H Sohail to Patel, Flatter delivery outside off, turns into Patel who tries to flick it away on the leg side. |
| 56.4 : H Sohail to Patel, Full and outside off, the batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 56.5 : H Sohail to Patel, Again full and outside off, Ajaz comes well ahead and defends it into the ground. |
| 56.6 : H Sohail to Patel, Almost the same as the previous ball, Ajaz comes forward and plays the defense with the full face of the bat. |
| 57.1 : H Ali to Wagner, Good length ball on off, angling in, Wagner defends it off his back foot. |
| 57.2 : H Ali to N Wagner, Edgy! Lands it on a length and outside off, holding its line, Wagner tries turning it on the leg side but it takes the outside half of his willow and runs wide of backward point for a brace. |
| 57.3 : H Ali to Wagner, In the air...in the air... safe! Ali digs in a short delivery from 'round the wicket, well-directed, Wagner takes his eyes off the ball as he attempts to wheel a pull shot. It takes the top edge of the bat and flies wide of the keeper for a couple again. |
| 57.4 : H Ali to Wagner, Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it safely. |
| 57.5 : H Ali to Wagner, Full and outside off, driven off the front foot to covers. |
| 57.6 : H Ali to Wagner, DROPPED! Yasir was placed there for that particular reason and he has spilled it. Sarfraz cannot believe it. A short delivery again, Wagner takes on the challenge to pull but fails to middle his shot. Yasir is standing a few paces ahead of the rope in the deep square leg region but fails to grab a simple catch. A run for Wagner and he lives to fight another day. |
| 58.1 : H Sohail to Wagner, Flighted outside off, turns in. Ajaz defends it well off the back foot onto the vacant leg side for a single. |
| 58.2 : H Sohail to Patel, Flatter and quicker on off stump, Ajaz defends on the back foot. |
| 58.3 : H Sohail to Patel, Outside off and turns in a long way, Patel comes ahead and defends, but gets an inside edge that falls far away from short leg. |
| 58.4 : H Sohail to Patel, Full and outside off, driven by Patel through the covers for another run. |
| 58.5 : H Sohail to Wagner, Flatter delivery this time, the batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 58.6 : H Sohail to Wagner, Fuller and flighted outside off, Wagner prods ahead and defends it. |
| Bilal Asif back into the attack. |
| 59.1 : B Asif to Patel, Looped up outside off, Ajaz tries to drive but gets the outside edge onto the off side. |
| 59.2 : B Asif to Patel, Wide outside off and turning even more away, Ajaz lets it go. |
| 59.3 : B Asif to Patel, Fuller in length and Patel comes ahead to smother the spin. |
| 59.4 : B Asif to Patel, Flighted outside off, kept out on the front foot. |
| 59.5 : B Asif to Patel, Arm ball this time, angling on the pads. Ajaz misses the flick and gets hit on the pad. |
| 59.6 : B Asif to Patel, Full and on the pads this time, Ajaz flicks it down to fine leg for three runs. |
| 60.1 : H Sohail to Patel, Full and loopy outside off, Ajaz comes ahead and defends. |
| 60.2 : H Sohail to Patel, Similar ball and similar shot played again. |
| 60.3 : H Sohail to Patel, A tad fuller this time, Ajaz drives to mid off. |
| 60.4 : H Sohail to Patel, Full ball outside off again, Ajaz comes ahead and dead bats it. |
| 60.5 : H Sohail to Patel, Around the wicket, flighted and on middle, Ajaz gets his bat ahead to defend it. |
| 60.6 : H Sohail to Patel, Flatter and quicker on the pads this time, Ajaz flicks it to short leg. |
| 61.1 : B Asif to Wagner, Looped up and turning away outside off, Wagner stays back and punches it to cover. |
| 61.2 : B Asif to Wagner, BEATEN BY THE SPIN! Full and flighted outside off, Wagner is drawn ahead for the defensive shot but the ball turns away and misses the outside edge. |
| 61.3 : B Asif to Wagner, Flatter delivery this time outside off, punched to cover point and a quick run taken. |
| 61.4 : B Asif to Patel, Way outside off and full, Ajaz lets it go through. |
| 61.5 : B Asif to Patel, Again left alone by the batsman as the ball was way outside off. |
| 61.6 : B Asif to Patel, Shoulders his arms for the third delivery in a row outside off. |
| Yasir Shah returns in the attack. |
| 62.1 : Y Shah to Wagner, Around the wicket, the ball lands outside off and turns in, Wagner defends on the back foot. |
| 62.2 : Y Shah to Wagner, Shorter this time and enough time for Wagner to pull it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 62.3 : Y Shah to Patel, Quicker ball at the pads, flicked away to square leg. Ajaz thinks about the single but decides against it in the end. |
| 62.4 : Y Shah to Patel, Well outside off and turns in, Ajaz goes back in his crease and defends with a straight bat. |
| 62.5 : Y Shah to Patel, Flighted on middle, Patel flicks the ball onto the leg side but straight to the fielder. |
| 62.6 : Y Shah to Patel, Flatter ball, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 63.1 : B Asif to Wagner, Shorter and quicker outside off, Wagner pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 63.2 : B Asif to Wagner, Beaten again! Draws Wagner ahead and beats his outside edge with the turn. Unlucky not to get the edge. |
| 63.3 : B Asif to Wagner, OUCH! The ball is short and outside off, Wagner goes back and cuts it. It hits the silly point fielder on his knee as he tries to move away. Must've hurt but he's okay to continue, without any treatment. Just rubs his knee and good to go. |
| 63.4 : B Asif to Wagner, Shorter in length again, Wagner plays it to the point fielder off his back foot. |
| 63.5 : B Asif to Wagner, Flatter and quicker on off, Wagner goes back and punches it back towards mid off. |
| 63.6 : B Asif to Wagner, Good ball! The ball is flighted and turns again, the batsman comes ahead to play at it but is beaten by the spin on the ball. |
| 64.1 : Y Shah to Patel, Tossed up ball on off, turning back in, Ajaz defends it off his front foot. |
| 64.2 : Y Shah to Patel, Flatter and on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 64.3 : Y Shah to Patel, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 64.4 : Y Shah to Patel, Floated full ball on off, Patel lunges in defense. |
| 64.5 : Y Shah to Patel, Shout for an lbw, not given! A leg spinner landing outside off and turning back in sharply. Patel fails to defend and is hit on the pads. Turning too much, feels the umpire. |
| 64.6 : Y Shah to Patel, Presses forward to a full ball and defends it again to end the over. |
| 65.1 : B Asif to N Wagner, OUT! Caught by Asad Shafiq at slip. New Zealand lose their ninth wicket! Looped up outside off and this was always coming. Had been beating the outside edge consistently over the past two or three overs. Deserved the wicket and gets it finally. Wagner wants to prod ahead and defend but takes the edge for an easy catch at slip. |
| 0.0 : Trent Boult is the last batsman for New Zealand. Should have been Tea now, but since just one wicket is remaining, the session has been extended by 30 minutes. |
| 65.2 : B Asif to Boult, Full and outside off, Boult comes ahead and defends. |
| 65.3 : B Asif to Boult, Full and outside off again, Boult smothers the spin by coming ahead. |
| 65.4 : B Asif to Boult, Flatter and turning into the pads, Boult works it down on the leg side. |
| 65.5 : B Asif to Boult, FOUR! Flighted outside off and Boult comes down the track and hits it over the bowler's head for four runs. |
| 65.6 : B Asif to Boult, Flatter and quicker at the pads, Boult plays it towards square leg. |
| 66.1 : Y Shah to Patel, Outside off and turning in, Ajaz defends it toward mid-wicket. |
| 66.2 : Y Shah to Patel, Outside off and the ball turns in again, Ajaz plays it down the ground on the leg side. |
| 66.3 : Y Shah to Patel, OUT! What a bizarre end to the innings that promised a lot when the Kiwi captain and Nicholls were batting before the lunch break. It has come to an immature end as they have lost 7 wickets in this session. Coming to the ball, Yasir had changed his angle to over the wicket for this delivery, lands it on middle. Ajaz shoulders his arms playing for the turn but the ball holds its line and hits him on his pads bang on middle. Umpire has no hesitation in raising his finger. Ne |
| Fantastic work by Pakistan! This isn't what they would've expected after Williamson won the toss and decided to bat. They would've been looking towards a long toiling day on the field (given the track looked a batting beauty) but the New Zealand innings just capitulated in the post-Lunch session. Once their skipper departed after a well-made 63, the Pakistani spinners just raced through the lower middle order. Disappointing that innings didn't even last for 70 overs. |
| There were no significant partnerships barring one between Williamson and Nicholls which provided some resistance. Once Nicholls and the skipper departed, no one else could hold the fort and New Zealand were bowled out for the lowest first innings total in Abu Dhabi. As for the Pakistani bowlers, Yasir Shah was the pick of them with three wickets, 3 others picking a brace and Bilal getting one of his own. Tea was pushed ahead and now has been taken at the fall of the last wicket of the first inn |
| 0.1 : T Boult to Imam, Boult start the innings with a shortish delivery around off, Imam goes back and taps it down in the cover region for a run. |
| 0.2 : T Boult to Hafeez, This time Trent lands it on a length around leg, Hafeez clips it off his pads to fine leg for a run. Both the openers are off the mark. |
| 0.3 : T Boult to Imam, Angles in a length ball on middle, getting it to straighten, Imam covers the line and blocks it safely. |
| 0.4 : T Boult to Imam, Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot but straight in the direction of the cover fielder. |
| 0.5 : T Boult to Imam, Puts in a length ball on off, angling in, Imam is solidly behind the line in defense. |
| 0.6 : T Boult to Imam, Bowls it on a good length and outside off, Imam shoulders arms to complete the over. |
| Colin de Grandhomme to share the red cherry from the other end. |
| 1.1 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, A gentle delivery, shortish and on off, punched off the back foot but straight to the fielder at cover-point. |
| 1.2 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Hint of away movement after it lands it on a length outside off, Hafeez offers no shot and lets it be. |
| 1.3 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, This time Colin bowls it closer to the off stump line, it's fuller in length and there to be driven but Hafeez is watchful at the moment and allows it to go through. |
| 1.4 : de Grandhomme to M Hafeez, Again it's a pitched up delivery around off, Hafeez brings his bat down and pushes it firmly to mid off. |
| 1.5 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, An inswinger on this occasion but no real pace. It lands outside off and has been easily left alone. |
| 1.6 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Fuller in length and around off again, Hafeez strides forward and pushes it with an angled bat to covers. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to Imam, Wrong line, sliding down the leg side, Imam picks it up off his pads and nudges it to long leg for a run. |
| 2.2 : T Boult to Hafeez, Fullish and on off, Hafeez blocks it by getting half-forward. |
| 2.3 : T Boult to Hafeez, Smartly played! Boult angles across a length delivery outside off, Hafeez prods forward with an angled bat and pushes it past the point fielder for a couple of runs. |
| 2.4 : T Boult to Hafeez, FOUR! Boult switches to 'round the wicket and serves a good length delivery outside off. It moves back in with the angle and Hafeez just gives it a push with an open face of his bat. Manages to time and place his shot through backward point for a boundary. |
| 2.5 : T Boult to Hafeez, Fuller in length on off, Hafeez defends it by remaining inside the crease. |
| 2.6 : T Boult to Hafeez, Sharp movement back into the batsman from around off, Hafeez closes the face of the bat and helps it to fine leg for one. |
| 3.1 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Good length delivery on off, no real pace again, it's easily negotiated from the back foot by Hafeez. |
| 3.2 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Wicket to wicket line, the length is fuller and there is some inward movement. Hafeez turns it at the last moment to mid-wicket. |
| 3.3 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, FOUR! Don't bowl there to this batsman! De Grandhomme, in particular, cannot afford to bowl there at his pace. A juicy delivery, full and wide outside off, Hafeez takes into account the away movement and thumps his drive through covers. |
| 3.4 : de Grandhomme to M Hafeez, FOUR! Really substandard bowling. New Zealand will be already missing Southee here. Short and wide outside off, Hafeez camps back and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side for another boundary. |
| 3.5 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Colin feeling the pressure. Slips a length ball down the leg side this time, Hafeez lets it be and Watling collects it by diving to his left. |
| 3.6 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Shaping away from the batsman, too wide outside off, Hafeez has nothing to do with it. |
| 4.1 : T Boult to Imam, Shout for an lbw! But it dies down immediately after seeing the umpire shake his head. Boult hurls in an inswinger, landing around off and sliding down leg, Imam fails to keep it out with a close-faced bat and is hit on the pads. Missing leg. |
| 4.2 : T Boult to Imam, Fullish and on middle, Imam pushes it down towards mid on. More of a check shot. |
| 4.3 : T Boult to Imam, Another inswinger for the southpaw, Imam fails to flick and is hit high on the pads. It deflects to square leg and they steal a leg bye. |
| 4.4 : T Boult to Hafeez, Angles in a good length ball on off, from 'round the wicket, Hafeez blocks it off his back foot. |
| 4.5 : T Boult to Hafeez, Shortish on middle, tucked off the pads to square leg. |
| 4.6 : T Boult to Hafeez, Serves an inswinger, lands it wide outside off on a length, Hafeez takes a stride forward to cover the line and then shoulders arms. |
| 5.1 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Angling away from the batsman, outside off, Imam opens the face and plays it down through backward point for a couple of runs. |
| 5.2 : de Grandhomme to Imam, In the channel outside off, Imam allows it through to the keeper. |
| 5.3 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Fuller in line of the stumps, Imam plays it with soft hands to mid on and scampers across for a quick single. |
| 5.4 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Uppish but safe! Colin slants in a length ball on middle, Hafeez is early into the flick shot and hence fails to keep it down. It falls in front of Sodhi at mid-wicket, luckily for Hafeez. |
| 5.5 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, In the corridor of uncertainty, Hafeez chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.6 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 6.1 : T Boult to Imam, Fuller in length and on off, Imam covers the movement and pushes it down to mid on. |
| 6.2 : T Boult to Imam, Good movement this time. Nipping back in from a fuller length around off, Imam leans across a bit and bunts it wide of mid on for a brisk single. |
| 6.3 : T Boult to Hafeez, Length ball on off, Hafeez defends it off his back foot. |
| 6.4 : T Boult to Hafeez, FOUR! Nice, very nice. Beautiful timing, elegant looking shot. As soon as Boult serves it full and outside off, Hafeez takes his front leg forward and creams it through covers. Two fielders were after it but the ball wins the race. |
| 6.5 : T Boult to Hafeez, Returns to over the wicket and angles across a good length delivery on off. Hafeez goes on the back foot and defends it to the off side. |
| 6.6 : T Boult to Hafeez, Nearly chops it on! A delivery around off, angling away, Hafeez pushes at it tamely from the crease and gets an inside edge onto the pads. Nervy moment. |
| 7.1 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Gentle harmless delivery, outside off and angling away, Imam covers his stumps and leaves it alone. All too easy against Colin de Grandhomme. In a way, the Kiwis are wasting the new nut. Should get in Wagner. |
| 7.2 : de Grandhomme to Imam, In the channel wide outside off, another easy leave. |
| 7.3 : de Grandhomme to Imam, OUT! Caught at gully! Can you believe it, Colin de Grandhomme has successfully managed to play on the patience of the batsman. He keeps probing in the area outside off and this time Imam is lured into a drive away from his body. Fails to middle his shot properly and it flies off the outside edge to gully. Kane Williamson can take these catches even in his sleep. 11th wicket of the day on a pitch which looked like a batting beauty. |
| Azhar Ali is the number 3 batsman. |
| 7.4 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Ali has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 7.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Loose, very loose by Azhar. Colin delivers an outswinger outside off, you should be leaving those early in the innings but Ali is tempted into the shot. Has a lazy waft at it and misses. |
| 7.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. End of a successful over for New Zealand, a wicket maiden! |
| 8.1 : T Boult to Hafeez, Good length delivery on off, angling away from the batsman, Hafeez stays put inside the crease and shoulders arms. |
| 8.2 : T Boult to Hafeez, Boult serves it way wide outside off, Hafeez has nothing to do with it. |
| 8.3 : T Boult to Hafeez, OUT! Wow, another false shot and another wicket! I'm telling you, it doesn't matter how good or bad the pitch is, if you cannot show application, you won't succeed. We saw that with the Kiwis and now we are seeing the same with Pakistan. Boult bangs in a short delivery around off, angling away, Hafeez stands tall to pull it over the leg side, middles his shot as well but straight into the hands of Williamson at short mid-wicket. Idea was right, not the execution. The Kiwi |
| Drinks break. Meanwhile, Haris Sohail is the number 4 batsman. |
| 8.4 : T Boult to Sohail, Back of a length delivery outside off, some extra bounce, Sohail defends it off his back foot. The floodlights are switched on. |
| 8.5 : T Boult to Sohail, Sohail has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 8.6 : T Boult to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. Another wicket maiden, back-to-back for New Zealand! |
| 9.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Shortish and outside off, Ali shoulders arms. |
| 9.2 : de Grandhomme to Ali, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 9.3 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Full and angling in on off, some movement in the air, Azhar strides forward and blocks it solidly. |
| 9.4 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Lands it fuller and on off, Ali gets forward with a vertical bat and defends it safely. |
| 9.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Bowls it outside off, getting it to shape away, Azhar leans and drives it through cover-point for a couple. |
| 9.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, A length delivery on leg, Ali defends it off his pads to the leg side. |
| 10.1 : T Boult to Sohail, Lands it on a length outside off, holding its line, Sohail allows it through to the keeper. |
| 10.2 : T Boult to Sohail, Back of a length delivery coming in from around off, Sohail covers the line and blocks well. |
| 10.3 : T Boult to Sohail, Holding its line outside off, on a length, left alone. |
| 10.4 : T Boult to Sohail, FOUR! Beautiful shot. Wonderful way to get off the mark. Full and straight from Boult, Haris Sohail offers a straight bat in response as he drives it back down the ground. No stopping that one, the timing is that good. |
| 10.5 : T Boult to Sohail, Back of a length delivery on off, it's punched off the back foot to point where Nicholls misfields and allows a single. |
| 10.6 : T Boult to Ali, Beaten all ends up! Boult hurls across a length delivery on middle and off, angling away, Ali pushes inside the line without any footwork and gets beaten comprehensively. |
| 11.1 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, FOUR! And again! Second gorgeous drive from Sohail's bat in no time. Colin overpitches in line of the stumps, Haris strides forward and with a lovely followthrough of the bat, he nails his straight drive. |
| 11.2 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 11.3 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Another gentle delivery in the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 11.4 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Third left alone in a row. He has been very watchful to deliveries outside the off stump and punishing everything in line of the stumps. |
| 11.5 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Oohhh...that's unplayable! Colin pitches it on a length around middle and off, Haris tries to defend it with a straight bat but it nips away at the last moment to beat his bat. Must say, I was critical of his bowling initially but Colin has now settled into a nice rhythm. |
| 11.6 : de Grandhomme to H Sohail, Fullish and around off, Sohail slices his attempted drive to point where Henry misfields again. No run taken though. |
| Debutant in action. Ajaz Patel has the ball in his hand. |
| 12.1 : A Patel to Ali, Floated delivery to begin with but he lands it too full around off, Azhar leans forward and drives it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 12.2 : A Patel to Ali, Tossed up ball around off, spinning away after landing, Ali allows it through to the keeper. |
| 12.3 : A Patel to Ali, Full and around off, drifting in and spinning away, Ali defends it off his front foot. |
| 12.4 : A Patel to Ali, Identical to the last delivery, this time Ali pushes it with an angled bat to covers. |
| 12.5 : A Patel to Ali, Fuller and on off, defended back to the bowler off the front foot. |
| 12.6 : A Patel to Ali, Tossed up ball on middle, spinning away on landing, Azhar pushes his weight on the back foot and defends it down. |
| 13.1 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Lands it on a full length around off, Sohail defends it from the crease to the off side. |
| 13.2 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Fuller in length and outside off, left alone by Haris. |
| 13.3 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Once again playing on the patience of the batsman. Keeping it in the channel outside off and inviting the batsman to go after it. Sohail is watchful so far. |
| 13.4 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Another comfortable leave outside the off stump by Haris. |
| 13.5 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, A length delivery outside off, make it fourth leave in a row. |
| 13.6 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Once again Sohail keeps his composure and allows a length ball through to the keeper. Maiden! |
| 14.1 : A Patel to A Ali, Flat and short on off, Azhar cracks it off his back foot but finds the point fielder. |
| 14.2 : A Patel to Ali, Flighted full ball on off, Ali defends it by getting forward. |
| 14.3 : A Patel to Ali, Slower through the air, full and on off, Ali once again blocks it off his front foot. |
| 14.4 : A Patel to Ali, Walks down the track and is deceived in flight a bit. Ali does well eventually to block it out safely past silly point. |
| 14.5 : A Patel to Ali, Strides forward to a full ball and drives it firmly through the line. The silly point fielder jumps to make way and it goes straight to the cover fielder. |
| 14.6 : A Patel to Ali, Rocks back to a short ball and punches it towards cover-point for one. |
| 15.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Fullish and on off, Azhar defends it by getting forward and across. Extended spell this for Colin, into his 8th over now. |
| 15.2 : de Grandhomme to Ali, On a length and wide outside off, shaping away, Azhar shoulders arms. |
| 15.3 : de Grandhomme to Ali, An inswinger this time, landing outside off and shaping back in, Ali takes a stride forward to cover the line and then makes a leave. |
| 15.4 : de Grandhomme to A Ali, Fullish and on middle, pushed down the ground but straight to mid on. |
| 15.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Variable bounce on this occasion. Azhar makes the leave outside off and it doesn't carry to the keeper. |
| 15.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 16.1 : A Patel to Sohail, Flatter through the air, around off, Haris Sohail camps back and punches it through backward point for three runs. |
| 16.2 : A Patel to Ali, Slower through the air, some extra loop on this one as it lands full around off, Azhar Ali defends it from the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket. |
| 16.3 : A Patel to Ali, Presses forward to a full ball and blocks it safely. |
| 16.4 : A Patel to Ali, Spinning away from the batsman, Azhar drives it through covers and collects a couple of runs. |
| 16.5 : A Patel to Ali, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot to covers. |
| 16.6 : A Patel to Ali, Arm ball this time. It skids on with the angle after landing around off, Ali goes deep inside the crease and defends it back at the last moment. |
| Neil Wagner is introduced into the attack. Watch out for his pace and length. He can be quite intimidating at times. |
| 17.1 : N Wagner to Sohail, Right on the money first ball. Full and around off, angling in, Sohail brings down a straight bat in defense. |
| 17.2 : N Wagner to Sohail, Fullish and on middle, Sohail pushes it down to mid off with a straight bat. |
| 17.3 : N Wagner to Sohail, Angling into the batsman, on a full length again, solidly defended. |
| 17.4 : N Wagner to Sohail, A touch short and around off, Sohail uses his wrists to play it in the gap at mid-wicket for a quick single. |
| 17.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Bouncer around leg, Azhar ducks underneath it comfortably. |
| 17.6 : N Wagner to Ali, This one is angled away from the batsman outside off, an easy leave for Azhar again. |
| 5 more overs left in the day's play. Ajaz Patel to continue... |
| 18.1 : A Patel to Sohail, Excellent delivery. Landing outside off and breaking back into the batsman, Haris watchfully lets it through. |
| 18.2 : A Patel to Sohail, Walks down the track, nearly yorks himself and just digs it out at the last moment. |
| 18.3 : A Patel to Sohail, Floated full ball on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 18.4 : A Patel to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 18.5 : A Patel to Sohail, Shout for an lbw! Not given and Kane Williamson decides not to review it. Big spin into the batsman from outside off, this time Haris offers no shot and wears it on his pads. They appeal and the umpire thinks that it has not spun in enough. Kane is seen having a chat with his keeper but then decides not to take the DRS. Good call. |
| 18.6 : A Patel to Sohail, Quicker and on off, worked on the leg side but straight to the fielder. |
| 19.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Lands it on a length around off, it's defended off the back foot to the off side. |
| 19.2 : N Wagner to Ali, This one is quite harmless, outside off, Ali allows it through. |
| 19.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Bowls it in line of the stumps, on a good length, Azhar stays put and defends it to the off side. |
| 19.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Wagner digs in a short ball, around off and angling away, Azhar shows good technique as he drops his wrists and sways away from the line. |
| 19.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Shortish and on leg, Ali goes on his toes and taps it down towards short leg. |
| 19.6 : N Wagner to Ali, Bangs in another short ball, around leg, Ali stands back and pulls it behind square leg for a run. |
| 20.1 : A Patel to Ali, A front foot drive from the bat of Azhar Ali but he finds the cover fielder. |
| 20.2 : A Patel to Ali, Tossed up ball on off, spinning away a bit, Azhar gets slightly squared up and then defends it to the off side. |
| 20.3 : A Patel to Ali, Ali has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.4 : A Patel to Ali, Arm ball, on middle, Azhar gets back and works it off his pads to mid-wicket. |
| 20.5 : A Patel to Ali, Slower one, extra loop, landing full on off, it's been pushed off the front foot to covers. |
| 20.6 : A Patel to Ali, Goes quicker through the air this time, around off, Azhar keeps it out to covers. |
| 21.1 : N Wagner to Sohail, Too full in length and around leg, it's clipped through square leg for one. |
| 21.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Short in length and pulled from the crease to deep mid-wicket for a run. 50 comes up for Pakistan! |
| 21.3 : N Wagner to Sohail, Bouncer around middle, Sohail ducks. |
| 21.4 : N Wagner to Sohail, Lands it on a length around off, Sohail covers the line and dead bats it from the crease. |
| 21.5 : N Wagner to Sohail, Digs in a bouncer, around off, Sohail ducks this time. |
| 21.6 : N Wagner to H Sohail, FOUR! Just a gentle push and it has gone all the way to the fence. Full and on off, Sohail gives it the straight bat treatment. It finds the sweet spot of his willow and speeds away through mid off for a boundary, beating Raval's valiant effort. |
| Last over of the day... |
| 22.1 : A Patel to Ali, Beaten! Drifting into the batsman, landing around off and spinning away with extra bounce, Azhar tries defending from the crease but gets beaten. |
| 22.2 : A Patel to Ali, Short this time, wide outside off, Ali cuts it with the spin to covers where Raval makes a diving stop. A single taken. |
| 22.3 : A Patel to Sohail, Flatter and shorter on off, Haris rocks back and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 22.4 : A Patel to H Sohail, Gives this one extra air and serves it very full outside off, Sohail drives it through extra cover for another brace. |
| 22.5 : A Patel to Sohail, Loopy full ball on off, turning back in slightly, Haris draws forward and defends. |
| 22.6 : A Patel to Sohail, Flighted and full outside off, Sohail presses forward and defends it with gentle hands. That will be Stumps on Day 1! |
| A riveting day of Test cricket. What was supposed to be a flat deck has produced 12 wickets on Day 1. Through all this, it's been a good day overall for Pakistan. They first bowled out New Zealand for 153, which is the lowest 1st innings total at this venue. Every Pakistan bowler chipped in with the wickets barring Hafeez. Williamson was the only one who provided any kind of resistance for the Black Caps with a solid 63, but he too, like the others, threw his wicket away. After that, the hosts c |
| The reason for so many wickets falling today is not because the surface has any demons in it, or that it's unpredictable in nature, but for the simple fact that there's been a lack of application from the batsmen. The Kiwis suffered as a result, and so did the Pakistan openers. Will more of the same be repeated on Day 2? We will see. Join us for all the action at 1000 local (0600 GMT). See you then! |
| ... Second Day, First Session ... |
| Hello and welcome for Day 2 of what is turning out to be an interesting Test match, for the neutrals at least. Pakistan have their noses somewhat ahead at the moment, but only barely. The opening day saw New Zealand crumble to the lowest-ever first innings total posted on the board in Abu Dhabi, with Kane Williamson the only one rising above the challenge to a good extent. It was a day where 12 wickets fell, and you could say most of them were just gifted to the opposition. |
| Pakistan lost both their openers as well towards the end of day's play, but since then, Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali have managed to steady things up. Day 1 was supposed to be a batting paradise, which it still could continue to be in the remaining days, but given how it's panned out, there's no way of telling how today will unfold. Should be exciting either way. |
| The New Zealand players are in a huddle by the boundary line. Kane Williamson with some last-minute words of motivation for his teammates. It's an important session for them. They now spread out across the field. Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali stride out to the middle as well, the latter will take strike. Colin de Grandhomme will start off with the ball. Two slips and a gully in position for him. Here we go... |
| 23.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali, First runs of the day for Azhar Ali and Pakistan. It's a length ball on off, Azhar turns it away on the leg side for a single. |
| 23.2 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Straying down the leg side, Haris flicks it neatly through square leg and comes back for the second. |
| 23.3 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Better line. Good length delivery angling across, just around off, Sohail gets an inside edge as he looks to play it on the off side. |
| 23.4 : de Grandhomme to Sohail, Fullish in length, on the stumps, driven well past mid on. Wagner there moves to his left and puts in a dive too, but can't stop it. Three runs result. |
| 23.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, On a length once more, in the channel outside off, defended down on the off side. |
| 23.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Full delivery on leg, Azhar picks it off his pads and flicks it in front of square leg for a couple of runs. 8 off the first over on Day 2. |
| Ajaz Patel to bowl from the other end. |
| 24.1 : A Patel to Sohail, FOUR BYES! No bounce on that whatsoever. Despite that ball going for a boundary, it will please Patel. He bowls it wide outside off, it keeps really low and goes through Watling's legs for a boundary. |
| 24.2 : A Patel to Sohail, Short, flat and quick outside off, punched off the back foot to the covers. |
| 24.3 : A Patel to Sohail, Tosses it up just outside off, it's driven straight to mid off. |
| 24.4 : A Patel to Sohail, Drags his length by a fraction, on off and it spins in. Takes the inside edge and rolls to square leg. |
| 24.5 : A Patel to H Sohail, Straighter one outside off, full in length, Haris comes forward to defend but it goes off the edge. Rolls to third man and three runs are taken. |
| 24.6 : A Patel to Ali, Spinning away from outside off, on a shorter length, Ali cuts it towards sweeper cover to keep strike. |
| 25.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Coming in at first but then straightens up a shade, blocked back down the track from the crease. |
| 25.2 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Hurled down the leg side, Azhar looks to flick it away but misses. Watling collects by moving to his left. |
| 25.3 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Outside off on a good length, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 25.4 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Pitches this in line of the stumps, meets the length ball with the full face of the bat. |
| 25.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Little bit of shape away on this as it's landed on off, Azhar Ali blocks by coming half forward. |
| 25.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Right through! A maiden from Colin de Grandhomme. He serves it on a length close to off, Azhar walks down the track to negate the movement but it goes past the inside edge and into the keeper's gloves. |
| 26.1 : A Patel to Sohail, FOUR! Brings up the 50-run stand in style. Not exactly in total control, but it's enough to fetch him a boundary. Sohail gives the charge to this tossed up ball and slogs it off the inner half through the left of mid on to find the fence. |
| 26.2 : A Patel to Sohail, Excellent follow-up from Ajaz Patel. Pitches it just behind a driving length outside off, it spins in off the rough and takes the inner half. Pops up on the leg side but just wide of short leg. |
| 26.3 : A Patel to Sohail, Touch quicker through the air outside off, pushed defensively on the off side. |
| 26.4 : A Patel to H Sohail, Short and wide, cut straight to the man at point. |
| 26.5 : A Patel to Sohail, Watches the ball as it turns into him and then blocks it down from within the crease. |
| 26.6 : A Patel to Sohail, Goes deep inside the crease and then turns the ball with the spin on the leg side. Good comeback from Patel after getting hit for a boundary on the first ball. |
| 27.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Length delivery on the stumps, blocked down in front of short mid-wicket. |
| 27.2 : de Grandhomme to Ali, FOUR! Full, outside off, with some shape away, Azhar Ali leans into the shot and drives it through the gap in the covers for a boundary. Easy pickings for him. |
| 27.3 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Hurled well outside off, no shot offered on that. |
| 27.4 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Not much bounce on this occasion, seaming away from outside off, Azhar shoulders his arms to it. |
| 27.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, On the sixth stump line, too far away to make Ali play at it. |
| 27.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Keeps it on the fuller side, shaping away from around off, blocked with a straight blade in response. |
| 28.1 : A Patel to Sohail, Quicker through the air, spinning in on middle and leg, Sohail off the back foot turns it in front of short leg. |
| 28.2 : A Patel to Sohail, Quicker delivery spinning in outside off, Haris looks to defend but the ball takes the inside edge and rolls past short leg. |
| 28.3 : A Patel to Sohail, A lot of flight on this occasion, just behind a driving length, worked just wide of mid on for a single. |
| 28.4 : A Patel to Ali, Turning away from Azhar, he plays with the spin and drives it through the covers for a run. |
| 28.5 : A Patel to Sohail, Smartly bowled. Seeing Sohail give the charge, Patel pushes this quicker and bowls it short, the southpaw can only push it towards mid on. |
| 28.6 : A Patel to Sohail, Quick, flat and outside off, pushed away on the off side. |
| Trent Boult is brought into the attack. |
| 29.1 : T Boult to Ali, Hurls it across on a fuller length, Azhar Ali plants his front foot forward, covers the line and lets it be. |
| 29.2 : T Boult to Ali, Whoa! This is what some injection of pace does. Good carry for Watling too. Boult pushes this around off, there's some extra bounce on offer as Azhar looks to defend. Gets beaten past the edge. |
| 29.3 : T Boult to Ali, Too straight in line, worked in front of square leg. |
| 29.4 : T Boult to Ali, Dropped! Should have been taken. Oh, dear! Boult bowls it full on the pads, Azhar looks to flick but can't keep it down. Hands a decent chance towards short mid-wicket. Raval leaps, gets his hands to it but can't hold on. |
| 29.5 : T Boult to Ali, Fires it full and outside off, Ali looks to jam it out but can't put bat to ball. |
| 29.6 : T Boult to Ali, Single to end a good over from Trent Boult. Ali taps this a bit square towards cover-point and keeps strike with himself. |
| 30.1 : A Patel to Ali, From around the wicket, it's spinning away from around off, left alone. |
| 30.2 : A Patel to Ali, Darted down leg, Azhar looks to flick but misses. Watling takes the bails off, thinking the batsman might just drag his back leg out but that doesn't happen. |
| 30.3 : A Patel to Ali, Full and on off, dead-batted in front of him. |
| 30.4 : A Patel to Ali, Slower and flatter on middle and leg, worked off the back foot in front of square leg for one. |
| 30.5 : Patel to Sohail, Turning in from outside off, Sohail pads it away. There's a shout for a leg before, but it's too far outside the line. Has to be a bit careful here. |
| 30.6 : A Patel to Sohail, Seeing the flight on this, Haris gives the charge and drills it towards mid off. Can't beat the fielder positioned there. |
| The review has been taken. It's for an lbw decision against Azhar Ali. Height could be an issue though. Let's see... |
| 31.1 : Boult to Ali, Not out! Height is the issue. Not a good call from skipper Williamson to opt for the DRS. Another good delivery from Boult, angles it across on off. Hits Azhar Ali on the thigh pad as he goes back to defend. Loud shout goes up, but it's turned down. Kane, after speaking to his bowler and keeper, opts for the DRS. It's taken upstairs and replays show that it's missing off stump. So New Zealand lose a review. |
| 31.2 : T Boult to Ali, Just ahead of a length, aiming the off stick, defended back down the track. |
| 31.3 : T Boult to Ali, Targets the top of off stump with a length ball, Azhar offers a defensive punch to mid off. |
| 31.4 : T Boult to Ali, Stays right behind the line and defends it out from inside the crease. |
| 31.5 : T Boult to Ali, Too far outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 31.6 : T Boult to Ali, Decent carry. Shaping away from around off, Ali covers the line, raises his bat and lets it go. Maiden over from Boult. |
| 32.1 : A Patel to Sohail, Quick, flat and short outside off, Sohail backs away and punches it square, but can't beat Williamson at point. |
| 32.2 : A Patel to Sohail, Flat and short outside off, Haris gives the charge and punches it to mid off. |
| 32.3 : A Patel to Sohail, Pushes this with hard hands to the cover region. Dot ball. |
| 32.4 : A Patel to Sohail, Gets a single on this occasion. Rocks on the back foot and turns it away to deep mid-wicket. |
| 32.5 : A Patel to Ali, Sharp chance. Difficult, but it could have been taken. Looped up on off stump, Ali defends but it lobs just a bit in the air to the right of silly point. Latham there gets low to his right, sticks his hand out but can't get to it. |
| 32.6 : A Patel to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 33.1 : T Boult to Sohail, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Sohail lets it through. |
| 33.2 : T Boult to Sohail, Some movement away and Haris almost falls for it. Lands outside off and shapes away, Sohail initially feels for it but then withdraws from the shot in time. |
| 33.3 : T Boult to Sohail, Pushes back down the ground, past the bowler and a quick single is taken. Good running. |
| 33.4 : T Boult to Ali, Length delivery on middle and off, plays it off the inner half down on the leg side. |
| 33.5 : T Boult to Ali, Full in length, but too straight in line, allows Ali to get behind the line and push it to short mid-wicket. |
| 33.6 : T Boult to Ali, Almost! Could have been bowled. Close one. Boult angles across a length ball close to off, Azhar Ali plays at it, gets an inside edge which just rolls past the off stump. He had no clue where the ball was. Not sure why he was complaining to his partner. |
| Time for some wrist spin. Ish Sodhi will bowling for the first time in this Test. |
| 34.1 : Ish Sodhi to Sohail, Spinning in on leg from a shorter length, Sohail goes back and clips it down to fine leg. Just the single results. |
| 34.2 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, A lot of loop on this, just outside off, a mistimed drive finds the cover fielder. |
| 34.3 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Spinning away from outside off, left alone. |
| 34.4 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, Loopy leg break outside off, the right-hander comes forward and pushes it to mid off. |
| 34.5 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Slight spin away from around off, Azhar plants his front foot forward and leaves it alone. |
| 34.6 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Outside off, left alone again for the keeper to collect. |
| 35.1 : T Boult to Sohail, Inside edge has saved him there. Length delivery close to off, Sohail looks to play at it. The ball raps him on the pads, but not before taking a big edge. |
| 35.2 : T Boult to H Sohail, Leans into this full ball and eases it to the mid off fielder. |
| 35.3 : T Boult to Sohail, Brings the short ball out of nowhere, bangs it in short. Takes Haris Sohail a little by surprise but the southpaw just about manages to duck under it. |
| 35.4 : T Boult to Sohail, Shaping away from a good length, around off, blocked from within the crease to covers. |
| 35.5 : T Boult to Sohail, Full in length, on off stump, driven to mid off. |
| 35.6 : T Boult to Sohail, Short of a good length just outside off, punched off the back too in front of covers. End of the over. |
| 36.1 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Quicker and shorter in length, spinning away, punched away through the covers for one. |
| 36.2 : Ish Sodhi to Sohail, OUT! Sohail departs! Another wicket thrown away. Sodhi recently brought into the attack and he strikes. Loopy, a dipping full toss on leg, Haris flicks it in the air and hands a simple catch to Tom Latham at mid-wicket. He moves to his left, leaps and takes it without any problem. Partnership of 64 comes to an end. |
| Asad Shafiq out in the middle. Two of Pakistan's most experienced players batting together now. |
| 36.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Short and fast, turning away from outside off, Shafiq mistimes the back foot punch towards mid off. |
| 36.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Pushes this square past silly point. Shafiq calls for the run but is rightly sent back by his partner. |
| 36.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Short and wide, cut away but towards Williamson at point. It's not easy to beat him. |
| 36.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Punched off the back foot to cover-point to end a successful over from Ish Sodhi. |
| 37.1 : T Boult to Ali, OUT! Edged and taken! That's a fine take from BJ Watling behind the stumps. Since coming on to bowl, Trent Boult has been brilliant. Azhar Ali has been dismissed, he was looking nervy out there for a while. Going across, on a bit of a fuller length, Azhar plays away from his body and the edge is induced. The Kiwi keeper dives low to his right and takes it well. Two wickets in as many overs for New Zealand. Both the set overnight batsmen have departed. |
| 0.0 : Drinks break. Pakistan had started the day well with Azhar and Sohail carrying on from Day 1, but two wickets in successive overs from Sodhi and Boult, got Sohail and Azhar respectively. Chance for the visitors to pick a wicket or two more and eat into the Pakistan tail. |
| Babar Azam is the next man in to bat. |
| 37.2 : T Boult to Azam, Almost! Another edge could have been had. Moving away on a back of a length, Azam looks to play at it and gets beaten. |
| 37.3 : T Boult to Azam, Yorker on the stumps, Babar just about manages to dig it out. |
| 37.4 : T Boult to Azam, Going away from outside off, Babar shoulders his arms to it. |
| 37.5 : T Boult to Azam, Nips back in by a fraction, on a length, takes the inside edge of Azam's bat and hits him on the pads. The ball falls besides him. |
| 37.6 : T Boult to Azam, Full delivery swinging back in, flicked off the pads to the man in front of square leg. |
| 38.1 : Ish Sodhi to A Shafiq, FOUR! In the air again but it's just short! Tossed up outside off, Shafiq comes forward and drives it aerially to covers. Raval there moves to his right, dives but it falls short and goes through. A boundary results. |
| 38.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Full delivery outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 38.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 38.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Loopy leg spinner outside off, full in length, Shafiq pressed forward and dead-bats it. |
| 38.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Good length. Good line. Sodhi finding his rhythm here. Serves it on middle and it goes away, it's pushed square past silly point. |
| 38.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Leans into this tossed up delivery and drives it through the covers for a double. |
| 39.1 : T Boult to Azam, That's well played. Babar Azam drives it square through the off side and gets off the mark with a couple of runs. |
| 39.2 : T Boult to Azam, Full delivery hurled across, Azam drives it neatly through the covers this time. It won't go all the way, but the timing is good enough to fetch him three good runs. |
| 39.3 : T Boult to Shafiq, Switches the angle and comes from around the wicket, angles in a length ball. Shafiq shoulders arms. The ball goes quite close past the off stump. |
| 39.4 : T Boult to Shafiq, Brings it back in from outside off, driven through the covers again. Two to the total. |
| 39.5 : T Boult to Shafiq, Back to over the wicket, a length ball on off, defended with soft hands on the leg side. |
| 39.6 : T Boult to Shafiq, Aims the top of off stump with a length ball, Asad Shafiq defends it well. Pakistan trail by 49 runs. |
| 40.1 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Spinning away from the batsman, full and outside off, left alone. |
| 40.2 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, A lot of air provided by the leggie, on the stumps, it's drilled down towards mid off. |
| 40.3 : Ish Sodhi to B Azam, FOUR! Full toss outside the off stump, Babar smashes it through the gap in the covers. A freebie which he's taken full advantage of. Poor delivery. |
| 40.4 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Nice shape on it. Drifting in on middle and off, Babar defends before the ball can turn. |
| 40.5 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Seeing the ball land outside off, the batsman has nothing to do with it. |
| 40.6 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Drives this tossed up ball to the cover fielder. |
| Neil Wagner now comes on to bowl. |
| 41.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Yorker on the pads, easily flicked away down towards fine leg for one. |
| 41.2 : N Wagner to Azam, Positions himself well behind this length ball on off and blocks. |
| 41.3 : N Wagner to Azam, Full delivery just outside off, driven to mid off. No run taken. |
| 41.4 : N Wagner to Azam, Similar ball, same shot. Same result. |
| 41.5 : N Wagner to B Azam, Overpitched outside off, Babar drives but can't pierce the gap in the cover region. |
| 41.6 : N Wagner to Azam, Lands on middle and leg and then shapes away late. Azam looks to defend but it goes off the outer half square to point. |
| 42.1 : Ish Sodhi to A Shafiq, A lot of loop on this, outside off, driven hard but can't beat a diving Tom Latham. |
| 42.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Looped up leg break outside off, driven once more by Shafiq to covers. |
| 42.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Superb delivery! Sodhi drops it on off, drifts in then spins away sharply. Shafiq does well to back away and play it with some control just wide of backward point. One run taken. |
| 42.4 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Babar gives the charge and drives it towards mid off. Boult moves to his left, gets low but misfields. Conceded an extra run. |
| 42.5 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Spinning away from around off, pushed from the back foot to covers for one. |
| 42.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Spills it on the pads, worked behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 43.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Seaming away after serving it on off, Asad taps it down in front of cover-point. Wants the single but won't get it. |
| 43.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Short of a good length going across, no shot offered by the batsman. |
| 43.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Brings it in closer to off this time, Shafiq covers the line and lets it be. |
| 43.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, No ball! Wagner oversteps on this occasion. Length ball on off and it's defended. |
| N Wagner to Shafiq, Once again makes it go away from around off, another leave. |
| 43.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Wants to do nothing to do with this one either. Length ball outside off, arms are shouldered. |
| 43.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Finds the man at cover with the drive. Asad Shafiq connects with the full face of the bat, unable to find the gap. |
| 44.1 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Tossed up outside off, Babar gets forward and across before paddling it fine down the leg side. A brace results. |
| 44.2 : Ish Sodhi to B Azam, Looped up outside off, driven to covers. Dot ball. |
| 44.3 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Beaten! Lovely. Gives this flight and lands it around off, Azam is drawn forward to block but is beaten by the away turn. |
| 44.4 : Ish Sodhi to B Azam, Short, flat and close to off, goes back and looks to pull, but only gets it off the inner half on the leg side. |
| 44.5 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Slightly quicker through the air, on off, goes off the outer half towards point. |
| 44.6 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Babar Azam dances down the track to this turning ball and defends it right under his nose. |
| 45.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Length delivery on leg, Shafiq looks to flick it down but it goes off his pads to fine leg. Patel cuts it off as the batsmen take two leg byes. |
| 45.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Strays on the pads again, easily tucked behind square leg for a single. |
| 45.3 : N Wagner to Azam, Babar Azam defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.4 : N Wagner to Azam, This full outside off is driven to covers. |
| 45.5 : N Wagner to Azam, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 45.6 : N Wagner to Azam, Wide! Banged in short, but it's too short. Wide signalled by the umpire. |
| N Wagner to Azam, Turns this away in front of square leg and retains strike with a single. |
| 46.1 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Turning away on middle and off, wristed away towards mid-wicket. |
| 46.2 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Spinning away outside off, shorter in length, punched through to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 46.3 : Ish Sodhi to A Shafiq, FOUR! Short ball on the stumps, Shafiq picks up the length early, rocks back and nails the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 46.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Dropped on off, Shafiq comes forward, watches the ball and lets it go past him. |
| 46.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Tossed up ball on middle, spinning away, blocked off the front foot. |
| 46.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Going away from outside off, Shafiq slaps the cut through to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 47.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Starts the over with a bumper, ducked and evaded. |
| 47.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Full in length, outside off, eased away to the cover fielder. |
| 47.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Another bumper, Asad lets it sail over his head. |
| 47.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Third of the over. Short ball on leg, Shafiq crouches really low and avoids it. |
| 47.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 47.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Fraction straight in line, clipped down to fine leg for a single. |
| Ajaz Patel is back to roll his arm over. |
| 48.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full on the stumps, blocked safely from the front foot. |
| 48.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, FOUR! But that in no way was a shot in control. Shafiq decided to take Patel on, danced down and lofted it off the inner half just over mid on. It races away for a boundary. |
| 48.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Wrists it away into the leg side and crosses over. |
| 48.4 : A Patel to Azam, Flat and short, wristed through backward square leg for a single. |
| 48.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, Short and wide outside off, cut through towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 48.6 : A Patel to Azam, Outside off, slapped away through the covers again. A single is taken as the man in the deep mops it up. |
| 49.1 : N Wagner to Azam, Pounds it in short again, on off, Babar steers it with an angled bat to Williamson at gully. |
| 0.0 : A fly slip in place. |
| 49.2 : N Wagner to Azam, Back of a length on the stumps, Babar helps the pull through mid-wicket and takes two. |
| 49.3 : N Wagner to Azam, Accurate bouncer, shaping away around off, the batsman arches back and lets it go. |
| 49.4 : N Wagner to Azam, Another short ball, at first Babar thinks of bringing out the pull shot but then opts out of it. |
| 49.5 : N Wagner to Azam, Outside off, short in length, no short offered yet again. |
| 49.6 : N Wagner to B Azam, FOUR! Back of a length which just sits up for Babar. He hangs on the back foot and muscles the pull along the turf through mid-wicket. Boundary! And that brings up the 50-run stand between these two. |
| 50.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, No spin, no bounce and it almost gets Shafiq. Flat on off, Asad looks to cut but chops it off the inner half. |
| 50.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Spinning away from outside off, played square to point. |
| 50.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 50.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and slow, close to the off stump, played out off the front foot. |
| 50.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, Short and quick outside off, punched off the back foot to sweeper cover. One run collected. |
| 50.6 : A Patel to Azam, Camps on the back foot and sees the over off without any problem. |
| 51.1 : N Wagner to A Shafiq, Full length ball nipping back in on off, Asad drives from the inner portion towards the man at mid on. |
| 51.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Bouncer outside off, angling away, ducked and avoided by the batsman. |
| 51.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Goes full this time, just outside off, driven firmly but can't get it past mid off. |
| 51.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Fuller and outside off, going away, played from the outer half to gully. |
| 51.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Shafiq comes forward, covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 51.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Too far outside off, Shafiq lets it be. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| A decent session for both sides. In 29 overs, 85 runs have been scored for the loss of 2 wickets. Sodhi and Boult dismissed the two overnight batsmen Sohail and Azhar, but from that point on, Shafiq and Azam have taken things in their control with a fifty-stand, not allowing New Zealand to capitalize further. Things are very much in the balance right now as Pakistan still trail by 9 runs. Will be interesting to see if Williamson goes for a complete spin attack, from both ends, to apply pressure |
| ... Second Day, Second Session ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. The players are on the field as well. Just 9 runs behind are the virtual hosts. The pitch has offered some assistance to the spin bowlers, in particular and the Kiwis will be hoping for some quick wickets. They are beginning with Ajaz Patel. A slip and short leg in place. |
| 52.1 : A Patel to Azam, Nicely tossed up ball to start the afternoon. The length is full on middle and Babar defends it back to the bowler. |
| 52.2 : A Patel to Azam, Flighted and full on off, Azam gets forward to defend and keeps it out from the outer half of the bat to point. |
| 52.3 : A Patel to Azam, Quicker arm ball, full and on middle, Babar draws forward and this time blocks it from the inside half of his willow. |
| 52.4 : A Patel to Azam, Slower through the air, full and on off, Azam is forward in defense. |
| 52.5 : A Patel to Azam, A bit flat and on off, Babar defends it stoutly with a straight bat. |
| 52.6 : A Patel to Azam, Leans forward to a full ball in line of the stumps and defends. A maiden to start the session! |
| Neil Wagner to continue from this end... |
| 53.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Lands it on a length and outside off, from 'round the wicket, an easy leave for Shafiq. |
| 53.2 : N Wagner to A Shafiq, Pitches it full and lands it outside off, inviting the drive, Asad gets on the front foot and pushes it to covers. |
| 53.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Once again the length is full but this time it is a little too wide outside off. Asad doesn't bother offering any shot. |
| 53.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Identical to the last delivery, only difference that it's even wider outside off. Shafiq has nothing to do with it. Wagner needs to target the off stump from the angle he's bowling. |
| 53.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Good length delivery in the zone outside off, Asad will keep leaving those. |
| 53.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Better, much better! Maybe, bowling wide outside off was a ploy for this peach of a delivery. Wagner steams in and delivers it outside off on a fuller length. It curls back in after landing as Shafiq shoulders arms. It shapes back in and beats the off pole by a whisker. Wagner cannot believe his luck. |
| 54.1 : A Patel to Azam, Flatter delivery, full in length and on middle, Babar goes hard at it and drills his drive past the bowler. Sodhi gives the chase from mid on and stops the ball just before the fence. Three runs taken. |
| 54.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Nearly rolls back onto the stumps! Tossed up ball around off, Azhar gets forward to defend and gets it away off the inner half of his bat. The ball drops in and then bounces again to catch his bat. After that it rolls back but away from the stumps. |
| 54.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Skidding down leg, Asad turns it off his pads to square leg. |
| 54.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, Bowls it short and on off, it's punched off the back foot to sweeper cover for one. |
| 54.5 : A Patel to Azam, Floated one, full and on off, Babar blocks it safely. |
| 54.6 : A Patel to Azam, Another watchful front foot defense by Azam to end the over. |
| 55.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Shafiq allows it through the keeper. |
| 55.2 : N Wagner to A Shafiq, Well fielded! A delightful cover drive by Asad Shafiq but the fielder (Henry Nicholls) does well to dive and stop the racing ball. |
| 55.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, A delivery hurled in the zone outside off, Asad makes a leave. |
| 55.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Left alone again. This time Wagner bowls it from the edge of the crease and angles in a good length ball just outside off. Shafiq guards his stumps and then leaves it. |
| 55.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Keeps probing in the channel outside off, Asad is also motivated in not flirting with those away from his body. |
| 55.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Brings a full ball back into the batsman with the angle, Asad gets forward to block it near his front pad. |
| 56.1 : A Patel to Azam, Fullish and on middle, defended back off the front foot. |
| 56.2 : A Patel to B Azam, Slight away spin from around off, Azam gets forward to defend and it catches the outside edge. Rolls past first slip. |
| 56.3 : A Patel to Azam, Takes a stride forward to a full ball and drives it with the spin to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 56.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, Flighted and around off, Asad dances down the track and then brings his bat and pad together in defense. |
| 56.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, Gives it a nice toss yet again. It's full and on off, Shafiq strides forward in defense. |
| 56.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Loopy and on middle, it's been pushed back to the bowler. Ajaz is rushing through his overs, this one took him two minutes to complete. Spare a thought for our fingers. |
| 57.1 : N Wagner to Azam, A pretty much gentle delivery, on a good length and outside off, Babar leaves it alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 57.2 : N Wagner to Azam, Another delivery which lacks pace but has good direction. Fuller and on off, Azam is forward in defense. |
| 57.3 : N Wagner to B Azam, On a length around off, Babar sticks back inside the crease and pushes it out to covers. |
| 57.4 : N Wagner to Azam, Offers width outside off, it's on the shorter side, usually a batsman gets tempted and goes after it but Babar shows patience and restrains himself from doing so. |
| 57.5 : N Wagner to Azam, Goes wider of the crease and angles in a length ball on off, Azam defends it off his back foot. |
| 57.6 : N Wagner to Azam, Fullish and just outside off, Azam defends it off his front foot. A maiden for Wagner, he is really putting in a good effort although his pace has dipped a bit. Understandably so, this was his 9th over on the trot. |
| 58.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Flighted and full on middle, worked on the leg side but straight towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 58.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Arm ball, landing on off and skidding back in, Shafiq is on the front foot in defense. |
| 58.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Slower this time, full and around off, Asad is drawn forward as he pushes it to the off side. |
| 58.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, The length is full and on middle, Asad bunts it down in front of mid on and steals a run. 150 comes up for Pakistan, they trail by just 3 runs. |
| 58.5 : A Patel to Azam, FOUR! Pakistan have the lead now! A tossed up ball around off, Azam uses his feet to get down the track and hammers it through mid off for a cracking boundary. |
| 58.6 : A Patel to Azam, Skidding back into the batsman, a bit on the shorter side, Azam goes back and plays it down to short leg. |
| 59.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, A length delivery outside off, Shafiq takes the offer to drive and middles his shot quite well. Nicholls misfields at covers as he gets some awkward bounce and a couple of runs results. |
| 59.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Shafiq ducks. So far, he has restrained himself from pulling or hooking which is a good ploy on this slowish pitch. However, the technique to duck ain't good, he had his bat hanging like a periscope. |
| 59.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Full and outside off, driven off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 59.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Outside off, left alone. |
| 59.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Length delivery angling into the batsman, around off, Shafiq closes the face of the bat and helps it to mid-wicket. |
| 59.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Effort delivery but lacks direction. Full and way down the leg side, Shafiq tries to flick but misses. |
| 60.1 : A Patel to Azam, Loopy full ball on off, it's defended off the front foot. |
| 60.2 : A Patel to Azam, Shorter, flatter and on middle, Babar punches it off his back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 60.3 : A Patel to Azam, Gets forward to a full ball and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 60.4 : A Patel to Azam, Just a bit on the shorter side outside off, an arm ball, Azam rocks back and slaps it through covers for one. |
| 60.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, FOUR! That was aerial but through the gap! Got to say, well placed in the end. Asad Shafiq jumps out of the crease and flicks against the spin. It goes right through the gap between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary. |
| 60.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Flatter through the air, full and on off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| Change in bowling. Trent Boult is brought back into the attack. |
| 61.1 : T Boult to Azam, Back of a length ball on off, Azam goes on the back foot and punches it towards the cover region for a run. |
| 61.2 : T Boult to Shafiq, Full and around off, it's been defended back in the direction of the bowler. Not shaping in enough, so far. |
| 61.3 : T Boult to Shafiq, Angling across the batsman, on a length around off, Shafiq defends it to the off side. |
| 61.4 : T Boult to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 61.5 : T Boult to Shafiq, A rising delivery on middle, Asad goes on his toes and defends it down safely. |
| 61.6 : T Boult to Shafiq, Straighter in line, Asad works it off his pads but straight to the fielder standing in front of square leg. |
| 62.1 : A Patel to Azam, Tossed up ball on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 62.2 : A Patel to Azam, Flat delivery, fires it full on off at 90.7m kph, Azam gets forward and drives it to covers. |
| 62.3 : A Patel to Azam, Flighted this time, on middle, it's driven off the front foot to covers. Nice flow of the bat there. |
| 62.4 : A Patel to Azam, Fullish and on middle, pushed down towards mid on for a run. |
| 62.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, SIX! Shot! Ajaz bowls it around middle and leg, Shafiq wears his skates to dance down the track and hoists it over long on for a biggie. Fancy footwork, well done Asad! |
| 62.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Slows this up in the air and bowls this one full around off, Shafiq defends it by getting on the front foot. |
| 63.1 : T Boult to Azam, Width on offer outside off, Babar chases it and hits it square of the wicket on the off side. It's aerial but goes safely to the deep. A single has been taken. |
| 63.2 : T Boult to Shafiq, Angling away from the batsman, on a good length, Shafiq stays back and taps it down with an angled bat to gully. |
| 63.3 : T Boult to Shafiq, FOUR! Guided away! Lovely soft hands. Once again Boult angles across a good length delivery around off, Shafiq gently pushes it inside the line and guides it through the gap between slips and gully. |
| 63.4 : T Boult to Shafiq, OUT! Shafiq chops it on! Take that for a reply from the bowler. In spite of getting hit for a boundary on the last ball, Boult keeps probing in the area around off. It's once again angled away from the batsman and Shafiq stays back to defend. But to his disappointment, it catches the bottom half of his bat and goes on to uproot the off stump. Trent roars in delight. The 83-run partnership is broken and Pakistan's lead is just 21 runs with half the side back in the pavili |
| Sarfraz Khan is the number 7 batsman. |
| 63.5 : T Boult to Ahmed, Reaches out for a length delivery outside off and plays it through the gap at covers for a brace. The Pakistan skipper is off the mark first ball. |
| 63.6 : T Boult to Ahmed, On a length around off, angling away, Ahmed stays back to defend it to the off side. |
| 64.1 : A Patel to Azam, Flighted and full on off, an arm ball, Babar gets forward to defend but it takes the inside edge and rolls behind square leg for a run. |
| 64.2 : A Patel to Ahmed, Lunges to a full ball around off and defends it to the off side. |
| 64.3 : A Patel to Ahmed, OUT! Sarfraz will have to go! Maiden Test wicket for Ajaz and it's a big one of the Pakistan skipper. Patel tosses it up in the air and lands full on middle. Sarfraz kneels to go for the sweep shot and does so aerially. There is a fielder strategically placed at backward square leg and he makes no mistake. Neil Wagner runs in joy after grabbing the ball. The replays suggest that it came off the top half of Sarfraz' bat. Pakistan are throwing away the advantage here. |
| Bilal Asif's turn to bat now. |
| 64.4 : A Patel to Asif, Flighted delivery outside off, Asif leaves it alone. |
| 64.5 : A Patel to Asif, Bilal has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 64.6 : A Patel to Asif, Beauty! Drifting into the batsman around off, Asif gets forward to defend but it straighten after landing and beats the outside edge. End of a top over by Patel. |
| 65.1 : T Boult to B Azam, EDGY FOUR! Nearly the wicket number 7 for Pakistan. Boult takes a length delivery away from the batsman with his natural angle. A lazy waft by Babar away from his body and he edges it behind. Luckily for him, it speeds past the left side of Williamson at gully for a boundary. Trent has his hand on his head. Since he is getting the ball to bend back in, it has put some doubt in batsman's mind. |
| 65.2 : T Boult to Azam, Fuller and straighter, Azam defends it back with a straight bat. |
| 65.3 : T Boult to Azam, In the channel outside off, Babar allows it through to the keeper. |
| 65.4 : T Boult to Azam, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 65.5 : T Boult to Azam, Inviting length, around off and angling away, Babar lets it through to the keeper. |
| 65.6 : T Boult to Azam, A touch short in length around off, Azam stays back and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 66.1 : A Patel to Asif, Asif has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 66.2 : A Patel to Asif, Flighted and full on middle, Bilal defends it back to the bowler. |
| 66.3 : A Patel to Asif, Flatter and shorter this time, outside off, Asif moves back and taps it down towards point for one. |
| 66.4 : A Patel to Azam, Loopy and full on off, pushed off the front foot to covers. The fielder fumbled a bit but no run. |
| 66.5 : A Patel to Azam, Slower through the air, full and on middle, Babar is forward in defense. |
| 66.6 : A Patel to Azam, Arm ball on the shorter side, staying a bit low around off, Azam punches it from the crease to covers. |
| 67.1 : T Boult to Asif, Full in length around off, angling away, Bilal stays back and plays near his body. He opens the face of the bat to push it in the direction of cover-point. |
| 67.2 : T Boult to Asif, Very full in length on off, Asif once again remains back and pushes it down to mid off. |
| 67.3 : T Boult to Asif, Good length delivery angling away from the batsman, it's outside off, Bilal remains back to cover his sticks and allows it through. |
| 67.4 : T Boult to Asif, Beaten all ends up! Boult slants across a length delivery around off and gets it to nip away just a bit. Bilal stays back to play the defensive shot but gets beaten. |
| 67.5 : T Boult to Asif, Beaten on the drive this time. Sucker ball. Boult delivers it full and outside off, Asif is tempted into the drive and is beaten. |
| 67.6 : T Boult to Asif, Boult switches to 'round the wicket and spears in a fuller length ball on off. Bilal somehow keeps it out from the outer half of his bat to point. |
| Drinks break. Superb first hour post Lunch for the Kiwis. They have managed to pick two wickets so far and with Pakistan's lead under 50, this Test match is hanging in balance. For the home team, Babar Azam will have to play well with the tail to build on a big lead while for the touring side, their aim will be to bundle out the Pakistani innings ASAP. An interesting next hour coming up. |
| 68.1 : A Patel to Azam, Loopy full ball on off, it's driven through covers. The fielder there is lazy in getting down low and hence misfields. A single is taken. |
| 0.0 : Silly point in place now. |
| 68.2 : A Patel to Asif, Generously tossed up ball on off. Bilal goes hard at it, trying to drive it through covers but it takes the outside edge and rolls to point. Williamson makes a tumbling save. |
| 68.3 : A Patel to Asif, Gets on the front foot to a full ball and defends it to covers. |
| 68.4 : A Patel to Asif, Arm ball on off, pushing the batsman on the back foot, Asif defends it from the crease. |
| 68.5 : A Patel to Asif, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 68.6 : A Patel to Asif, Tossed up ball on middle, flicked on the leg side towards square leg for a quick single. New Zealand won't mind Bilal on strike for the next over. |
| 69.1 : T Boult to Asif, Angling away from the batsman, on a length outside off, Bilal reaches out for it and drives it through the line. Wagner dives over the ball at mid off and allows it through. Two runs taken. |
| 69.2 : T Boult to Asif, Back of a length ball on off, Bilal remains back footed as he offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 69.3 : T Boult to Asif, Bowls it outside off, angling away, Bilal has nothing to do with it. |
| 69.4 : T Boult to Asif, FOUR! Fullish in length on middle, Bilal plays it off his pads and flicks it past the diving mid on fielder for a boundary. Once again the fielder there was a bit lazy in putting in a dive. Sloppy from the Kiwis! |
| 69.5 : T Boult to Asif, The line is too straight this time by Boult and Asif nudges it fine down the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 69.6 : T Boult to Asif, Full and around off, Bilal pushes it in the gap at covers and once again picks up a run off the final ball. So Babar is showing confidence in Asif's ability with the bat. The lead is now eight short of fifty. |
| Trent Boult is leaving the ground. Maybe for some comfort break. This could be the end of his spell as well. Meanwhile, Tim Southee is his replacement on the field currently. |
| Stumping appeal has been referred upstairs. Is Bilal gone? |
| 70.1 : A Patel to Asif, OUT! Superb glovework! A tossed up delivery landing full around off. Bilal Asif gets forward with a big stretch and tries to go inside-out over extra cover. But the ball spins away to beat his bat and Watling behind the stumps is quite quick in dislodging the bails. He appeals and the square leg umpire takes it upstairs. The replays roll in and they show that Bilal's back leg is on the crease and it's not behind enough. Ajaz Patel has another scalp to his name and Pakistan |
| 0.0 : Yasir Shah walks in ahead of Hasan Ali. Hmm... |
| 70.2 : A Patel to Shah, Full and flighted on off, Shah defends it off his front foot. |
| 70.3 : A Patel to Shah, Tossed up ball on off, pushed off the front foot to point. |
| 70.4 : A Patel to Shah, Flatter and quicker on middle, defended off the back foot. |
| 70.5 : A Patel to Y Shah, Short in length and outside off, cut off the back foot to point. |
| The over is called with a ball remaining. The umpire realizes it late or maybe was informed by the third umpire/scorers. Ajaz is called back to bowl the last ball. |
| 70.6 : A Patel to Shah, Nicely flighted, full and on off, it's defended back to the bowler. Now, it's over. |
| Neil Wagner is back on. |
| 71.1 : N Wagner to Azam, Some reverse swing first up for Neil. He bowls a length ball from 'round the wicket and gets it to swing back in with the shine. Azam defends it off his front foot. |
| 71.2 : N Wagner to Azam, This time Wagner fails to control his line and ends up bowling it a little too straight. Babar works it in front of square leg for a run. |
| 71.3 : N Wagner to Y Shah, Angling into the batsman, Yasir goes hard at it and hits it towards mid on. Or shall I say mishit it towards mid on. |
| 71.4 : N Wagner to Shah, Good length delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 71.5 : N Wagner to Shah, Another delivery outside off has been left alone by the number 9 batsman. |
| 71.6 : N Wagner to Shah, Full and angling back in from around off, Yasir covers the line and defends it to the off side. |
| 72.1 : A Patel to Azam, Full and around off, Babar is forward in defense. |
| 72.2 : A Patel to Azam, Slower delivery, loopy and full on middle, Babar defends it off his front foot. |
| 72.3 : Patel to Azam, Shout for an lbw! Tossed up ball on middle, Babar gets down the track and then tries to defend. He misses and is rapped on the pads. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. That might have been hitting the stumps but the 3 metre rule applies. |
| 72.4 : A Patel to Azam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.5 : A Patel to Azam, Flat and quick on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 72.6 : A Patel to Azam, FOUR! 200 up for Pakistan. Babar Azam uses his feet to this delivery, reaches the pitch of the ball and lifts it over mid on for a boundary. |
| 73.1 : N Wagner to Shah, Fuller length ball angling into the batsman, it's pushed back to the bowler. |
| 73.2 : N Wagner to Y Shah, Fullish on off, Yasir drives it a bit uppishly in the direction of mid off. |
| 73.3 : N Wagner to Shah, Slower bouncer around off, Yasir lets it go and the keeper collects it on the bounce. |
| 73.4 : N Wagner to Shah, Too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 73.5 : N Wagner to Shah, Good length delivery on off, angling away from the batsman, Yasir does well to let it go. |
| 73.6 : N Wagner to Y Shah, Puts it on a full length outside off, Shah drives it towards extra cover. |
| Ish Sodhi is into the attack. |
| 74.1 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Full and flighted on off, Azam is on the front foot in defense. |
| 74.2 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Flighted again, around off and spinning away, Babar goes back and punches it to covers for a run. 8th Test fifty for Azam. He is playing a vital knock here. Pakistan lead by 48 runs. |
| 74.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Tossed up delivery, a low full toss, Yasir pushes it back past the bowler to mid on. |
| 74.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Wonderful delivery, missed the batsman, keeper and slip. Nicely looped up around off, Yasir gets forward to defend but it spins away to beat the bat. Watling fails to collect it and the ball deflects off his gloves towards Taylor at first slip. He too is not apple to reach it. Not that it was necessary. |
| 74.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Leans forward and pushes it towards backward point for a brisk single. |
| 74.6 : Ish Sodhi to B Azam, Full and on off, driven through covers for three runs. The lead crosses 50 now! |
| 75.1 : N Wagner to Azam, A length ball angling into the batsman, Babar nicely drives it through covers and collects a single. |
| 75.2 : N Wagner to Shah, Back of a length delivery on middle and off, Yasir tries defending it with a straight bat and gets it away from the outer half of the off side. |
| 75.3 : N Wagner to Shah, That's uppish but safe! Full and on middle, Shah whips it off his pads but it doesn't carry to Raval at mid-wicket. |
| 75.4 : N Wagner to Shah, Gently bowls a length delivery in the zone outside off, an easy leave for the batsman. |
| 75.5 : N Wagner to Shah, Bouncer down the leg side, troubling his keeper more than the batsman. Yasir ducks and Watling has to dive to his left to collect the ball. |
| 75.6 : N Wagner to Y Shah, Full and angling away, Shah drives but straight to covers. |
| 76.1 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Flighted full ball on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 76.2 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Floated full ball on off, Azam pushes it with the turn to cover-point for one. |
| 76.3 : Ish Sodhi to Y Shah, Edged but safe! Shah goes hard at a full ball on off, tries to go inside-out but slices it. It travels off the outside edge to point. |
| 76.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, FOUR! Sodhi delivers it down the leg side, Yasir goes deep inside the crease and deflects it at the last moment to the fine leg fence. |
| 76.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Flatter and shorter outside off, staying low, Shah punches it to extra cover. |
| 76.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, FOUR! Connects and connects well this time. A flighted full ball around off, Shah gives it the full whack of his bat and powers it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 77.1 : N Wagner to Azam, Angling away from the batsman, Babar pushes it towards cover-point for a run. |
| 77.2 : N Wagner to Shah, Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, short in length, Shah chases it away from the his body and misses. |
| 77.3 : N Wagner to Shah, A pitched ball on off, driven to extra cover where the fielder misfielded and parried it to mid off. |
| 77.4 : N Wagner to Shah, Bouncer around leg, Shah ducks underneath it. |
| 77.5 : N Wagner to Shah, A length delivery angling away from the batsman, Yasir watches the line closely and allows it through to the keeper. |
| 77.6 : N Wagner to Shah, Switches to 'round the wicket and bowls a length delivery in the channel outside off, Shah shoulders arms. |
| 78.1 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Flatter and on off, punched from the back foot to covers for a run. |
| 78.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Loopy full ball on off, Yasir is on the front foot as he drives it to covers. |
| 78.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Googly this time. On the shorter side around middle, Yasir rocks back to pull but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to short fine leg for a leg bye. |
| 78.4 : Ish Sodhi to Azam, Very full in length this time, around off, Babar forces it down to deepish mid on for a run. |
| 78.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Loopy and around leg, Shah flicks it across the line, it's a bit uppish but not carrying to Colin de Grandhomme at mid-wicket. |
| 78.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shah, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot to end the over. |
| 79.1 : N Wagner to Azam, Wagner bowls it from 'round the wicket and angles in a length delivery on off. Azam pushes it out in the gap at covers for one. |
| 79.2 : N Wagner to Shah, Slower delivery, dipping into the batsman and reaching on a low full toss, Shah keeps it out at the last moment. That was a knuckle ball. |
| 79.3 : N Wagner to Shah, OUT! Wagner strikes at last! He has really worked hard for his 150th Test wicket. Has a relieved look on his face. Ups his pace this time, angles across a length delivery at 136.8 kph, Yasir opens up his body and tries to muscle it across the line. But it takes a faint outside edge behind the stumps and Watling takes a simple catch. Pakistan lead by 67 runs with two wickets in hand! |
| Hasan Ali walks in next. He can surely tonk the cricket ball. Needs to hang around though with Babar. |
| 79.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Wagner changes his angle and speeds in from 'round the wicket. Looks to bowl the old sandshoe crusher but Hasan is equally up the challenge. Blocks it out safely. |
| 79.5 : N Wagner to H Ali, FOUR! Streaky! A little bit of a tail away from the number 10 batsman. Hasan Ali goes chasing after it and edges it past the gully fielder for a boundary. |
| 79.6 : N Wagner to Ali, Good length delivery on off, straightening a bit, Hasan stays back to play inside the line and edges it behind. Doesn't carry to the slip cordon. |
| Second new ball is now available. New Zealand have taken it straightaway. Colin de Grandhomme to make first use of it. |
| 80.1 : de Grandhomme to Azam, Starts with a fullish delivery on off, Babar pushes it quietly in the gap at covers for a run. |
| 80.2 : de Grandhomme to Ali, In the channel outside off, holding its line, Hasan allows it through to the keeper. |
| 80.3 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Angling into the batsman from around off, Ali defends it from the crease to the leg side. |
| 80.4 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Gentle delivery, on a good length outside off, an easy leave for Ali. |
| 80.5 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Beaten! This one skids off the surface after landing outside off, Hasan pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 80.6 : de Grandhomme to Ali, Beaten again! Colin just puts it around off and gets it to straighten from there, Hasan once again is caught pushing and missing inside the line. TEA TIME ON DAY 2! |
| A satisfactory session for the Kiwis! They managed to snaffle four wickets in the afternoon and have reached Pakistan's tail. Babar Azam is holding one end strongly but is running out of partners. Once his partnership with Asad Shafiq was broken, there was a period where wickets went down in a flurry. The touring team sniffed in a chance but failed to close the innings. The lead has now reached 72 runs and given the way this pitch is turning, anything over 100 will be alarming. Do join us in a s |
| ... Second Day, Third Session ... |
| The final session of the day is about to begin. Babar Azam will continue with Hasan Ali. Trent Boult will take the new ball now from the other end. |
| 81.1 : T Boult to Azam, An overpitched delivery on off, Babar times his off drive superbly but finds the mid off fielder. |
| 81.2 : T Boult to Azam, A length delivery angling away from the batsman, Babar allows it through to the keeper. |
| 81.3 : T Boult to Azam, This one stays down low after landing on a length around off. Azam keeps his eyes glued to the ball and pushes it out towards backward point. |
| 81.4 : T Boult to Azam, Too full and too straight, Babar flicks it from the inner half of his bat to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 81.5 : T Boult to B Azam, Edged but safe! Good length ball shaping away from the batsman, Azam pushes inside the line and edges it behind. It falls in front of Latham at second slip. |
| 81.6 : T Boult to Azam, A strong back foot punch by Babar Azam but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 82.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali, A gentle full ball on the pads, Hasan flicks it straight to mid-wicket. |
| 82.2 : de Grandhomme to H Ali, OUT! Edged and gone! A little bit of shape for Colin de Grandhomme and everything happened in slow motion. He serves a near-yorker (if not a yorker) around off, Hasan tries to squeeze it out but gets a fat outside edge to Taylor at first slip. Number 9 goes down with Pakistan leading by 74 runs. |
| Mohammad Abbas is the number 11 batsman. |
| 82.3 : de Grandhomme to Abbas, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Abbas makes a careful leave. |
| 82.4 : de Grandhomme to Abbas, Fullish and angling into the batsman, Abbas flicks but finds mid-wicket. |
| 82.5 : de Grandhomme to Abbas, On the pads, Abbas works it through square leg and Babar initially looks for a run. Both batsmen are midway down the track and then Azam sends him back. |
| 82.6 : de Grandhomme to Abbas, Beaten! Colin drops it on a good length outside off, Abbas pushes at it tamely and misses. A wicket maiden for de Grandhomme. |
| 83.1 : T Boult to Azam, Boult delivers a length ball outside off, Azam plays a delightful cover drive and turns down the single. |
| 83.2 : T Boult to Azam, OUT! Strangled down the leg side. A fine catch by Watling, yet again. Boult serves a good length delivery on middle and leg line. It goes on with the angle as Babar tries to play the flick shot off his pads. But it collects the inside half of his willow and Watling takes a wonderful catch diving low to his left. The umpire quickly checks upstairs for the no ball and the cleanliness of the catch. All good in the replays and PAKISTAN ARE ALL OUT FOR 227! |
| Excellent bowling show by the Kiwis! They are behind in the game by 74 runs but it could have been even more had their bowlers not stepped up. Trent Boult, as expected, was the pick of the bowlers and finished with a 4-wicket haul. He was nicely assisted by other bowling partners and Ajaz Patel, in particular, impressed with his accuracy on his debut. |
| Pakistan will be very disappointed after failing to seize the advantage. They dismissed New Zealand for a paltry total last evening but their batsmen failed to gather a big lead. Plenty of starts for their batters but none carried on to make it count. Still, a lead of 74 can be considered handy on this surface which is offering something to every type of bowler. Let's see how New Zealand respond with the bat second time around. |
| 0.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Angling across on a good length, Raval watchfully lets it be. |
| 0.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Good shape on that. Mohammad Abbas hurls it on a length once more, quite close to off, Raval once again leaves it alone. |
| 0.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Third leave in a row. Expect more of this with Abbas bowling. He keeps probing in that off stump channel, left alone. |
| 0.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Just ahead of a length, on the fourth stump line, Raval plants his front foot forward and shoulders arms. |
| 0.5 : M Abbas to Raval, That's a brave leave from Jeet Raval. Abbas pitches it close to off on a length and as Raval lets it go, it nips back in. Whiskers past the off stick. Super close, that. |
| 0.6 : M Abbas to Raval, Good length delivery outside the line of off stump, left alone to end the over. |
| Hasan Ali to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : H Ali to Tom Latham, OUT! Bowled first ball! What a beginning from Hasan Ali. Nothing Tom Latham could have done about that, really. Incredible delivery first up. Hasan Ali comes from around the wicket and bowls it around off, it shapes back in as Latham hangs his bat down the wrong line. The off stump goes for the toss and that's the first breakthrough for the home side. |
| Kane Williamson is in at no.3. |
| 1.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Over the wicket now to Kane. Fuller length ball on off, it's flicked behind square on the leg side for a single. Williamson is off the mark immediately. |
| 1.3 : H Ali to Raval, Back to around the wicket to the left-hander, it's angled in on a back of a length, Raval too gets off the mark as he works it down in front of square leg for one. |
| 1.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to short cover. |
| 1.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Outside the line of off stump, Williamson confidently offers a firm punch which finds the cover fielder. |
| 1.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Well left. Excellent over from Hasan Ali comes to an end. He hurls it in the off stump channel, Kane covers the line and makes a watchful leave. |
| 2.1 : M Abbas to Raval, From around the wicket to Raval, a good length ball is seaming back in on off. The left-hander stands his ground and blocks it down on the off side. |
| 2.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Bit fuller around off, Jeet prods forward and pushes it with hard hands to cover. |
| 2.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Lovely full length, shaping back around off, Raval with the full face of the bat blocks it in front of cover. |
| 2.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Offers no shot this time. Sees the ball landing outside off on a length, he covers the line and lets it through. |
| 2.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Fraction straight in line, flicked towards mid-wicket where Bilal Asif makes a diving stop to his left. The batsmen cross over. |
| 2.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, Over the wicket, length delivery which keeps a bit low. Williamson does well to bring his bat down and force it away on the off side. |
| 3.1 : H Ali to Raval, Coming back in from outside off, full in length, Jeet blocks with a defensive blade in response. |
| 3.2 : H Ali to Raval, Too straight in line, allows Raval to work this down towards fine leg for a single. |
| 3.3 : H Ali to Williamson, FOUR! Too straight once again from Hasan Ali and he pays the price. Can't bowl it to him there. Williamson flicks it away sweetly through the vacant square leg region and finds the fence. |
| 3.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Short of a good length outside off, the Kiwi skipper punches it through the gap in the covers. Three good runs taken. |
| 3.5 : H Ali to Raval, Almost dragged it back on! Back of a length just outside off, coming back in, Raval with no foot movement gets an inside edge which thuds onto his pads. |
| 3.6 : H Ali to Raval, Good carry on that. Hasan pitches it in the channel outside off, the southpaw lets it be as Sarfraz collects it at chest height. |
| 4.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Cutting back in from a good length, on middle and leg, worked down in front of mid-wicket. |
| 4.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, Attacks the stumps, doesn't give Williamson much room with this length ball. The batter can only stay behind the line and block. |
| 4.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Beaten! After bringing two back in, Abbas makes this one go away. On a back of a length, Williamson pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 4.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Wide outside off, reaches out to it and slaps it to the man at cover-point. |
| 4.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Targets the off stump with a length delivery, blocked with a straight blade in response. |
| 4.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, Keeps it close to off, it's defensively punched square to point. |
| 5.1 : H Ali to Raval, From around the wicket and wide of the crease, swinging back in, Raval is rock solid in defense. Plays it down on the leg side. |
| 5.2 : H Ali to Raval, Coming in again but the line is a touch straight, Jeet whips this behind square leg and comes back for the second. |
| 5.3 : H Ali to J Raval, Full ball outside the line of off stump, driven to the mid off fielder. |
| 5.4 : H Ali to Raval, Keeps it on the fuller side, but brings it back in just outside off, Raval takes a step forward and meets it with the full face. |
| 5.5 : H Ali to Raval, In the channel outside off, arms are shouldered confidently. |
| 5.6 : H Ali to Raval, Seaming into the left-hander from a fullish length, blocked off the front foot to end the over. |
| Yasir Shah is into the attack now. |
| 6.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, The flipper on off stump, Kane backs away and forces the punch to point. |
| 6.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Looped up leg break, driven from the front foot through the covers for one. |
| 6.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Tossed up in line of the stumps, pushed back down the track. |
| 6.4 : Y Shah to Raval, Goes with the spin and turns it on the leg side with soft hands. |
| 6.5 : Y Shah to Raval, Quicker and shorter, flicked off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 6.6 : Y Shah to Williamson, Loopy, slow and full outside off, invites Williamson forward and he pushes it through covers to keep strike. |
| 7.1 : H Ali to Williamson, Full ball outside off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 7.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Full in length, attacking the stumps, another defensive shot from Williamson. |
| 7.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 7.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Back of a length delivery, close to off, kept out safely from within the crease. |
| 7.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Short and wide outside off, no way Williamson will play at that. |
| 7.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Some more chin music for the New Zealand captain. He just ducks under it and lets it pass. |
| 8.1 : Y Shah to Raval, Tossed up leg break from around the wicket, spinning in, Raval presses forward and defends. |
| 8.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Turning in from a shorter length this time, goes back and punches it through the covers. One run collected. |
| 8.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Well left. Kane watches the ball as it turns away from him, covers the line and lets it be. |
| 8.4 : Y Shah to Williamson, FOUR! But that was a close one. Quicker one from Yasir, Williamson backs away to cut and almost gets bowled. Luckily, he played it well enough to cut it past short third man for a boundary. |
| 8.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Spinning away from the batsman, it's cut through to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 8.6 : Shah to Raval, Shout for a leg before, turned down. Maybe an inside edge there. Looped up leg break around off, turns in sharply and catches Jeet Raval on the pads as he prods ahead to defend. Seems some bat in involved. |
| Haris Sohail to roll his arm over. |
| 9.1 : H Sohail to Williamson, A lot of air on off stump, driven to mid off. |
| 9.2 : H Sohail to Williamson, Short and wide outside off, slapped the punch to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 9.3 : H Sohail to Raval, Goes with the spin and turns it to square leg. |
| 9.4 : H Sohail to Raval, Goes deep inside the crease, adjusts and works it to backward square leg. |
| 9.5 : H Sohail to Raval, Uses the depth of the crease again, Raval has enough time to go back and turn it on the leg side. |
| 9.6 : H Sohail to Raval, Floats it right up there, Jeet is well forward in defense. |
| Mohammad Abbas is back on. |
| 10.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Tad straight in line, attacks the stumps, Kane blocks it down in front of mid-wicket. |
| 10.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, stays inside the crease and blocks it back down the track. |
| 10.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Review taken. It's taken by Pakistan for an lbw decision against Kane Williamson. Looks to be going down leg to the naked eye. |
| 10.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Not out! Williamson survives. Poor review from all involved. Abbas angles it in on middle and leg, it keeps going down and catches Kane on the pads. A big appeal goes up, but the umpire shakes his head. Abbas speaks with his skipper and then it's taken upstairs. Replays show the ball to be missing the leg stump. Clearly. Review lost. |
| 10.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Too straight in line, wristed in front of square leg. |
| 10.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, Touch fuller in length, it's blocked comfortably to end the over. |
| Yasir Shah returns. |
| 11.1 : Y Shah to Raval, The inside edge has saved him there. Yasir flights it up outside off, it spins back in off the rough as Raval presses forward to defend. The ball strikes his back pad, but not before taking the inside edge. |
| 11.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Outside off, with some width on offer, played through point for a brace. |
| 11.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Coming in once more, Jeet is deep inside the crease as he looks to turn it in front of short leg. Is rapped on the pads instead. |
| 11.4 : Y Shah to Raval, Stays right behind the line and defends well. |
| 11.5 : Y Shah to Raval, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 11.6 : Y Shah to Williamson, Picks up the length early as it's flat and short outside off, punched through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 12.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Angles in a length ball on off, from 'round the wicket, Raval defends it off his front foot. |
| 12.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Once again Raval prods forward to defend but this time it takes the inside edge and deflects off his pads to covers. |
| 12.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Pitches it on a length around off, Raval drives it towards extra cover where Bilal Asif dives and parries it to mid off. Good effort! |
| 12.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Beauty to beat the bat! Abbas is unreal to southpaws from 'round the wicket angle. His line just around off coupled with a wee bit of away movement always catches the batsman in trouble. This time Jeet is lucky not to edge it. |
| 12.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Beaten on the drive this time! Abbas serves it on a fuller length outside off and gets it to shape away, Raval is tempted into the drive and is beaten. Abbas is getting closer and closer to taking his first wicket. |
| 12.6 : M Abbas to Raval, Good length ball on off, Raval nicely gets behind the line and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 13.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Bit quicker through the air on middle and leg, pushed back down the track off the back foot. |
| 13.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Tossed up well outside off, going away, forces Williamson to play away from the body and the edge is drawn. Luckily for the Kiwi captain, it goes wide of first slip to third man. Two to the total. |
| 13.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Positions himself behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 13.4 : Y Shah to K Williamson, Leans ahead to the full ball and eases it to mid off. |
| 13.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and wide, Kane cuts but can't beat the man at point. |
| 13.6 : Y Shah to Williamson, Quick, straight and short on the stumps, punched straight back to the bowler. |
| Drinks are on the field. Pakistan got the early wicket of Latham thanks to a beauty from Hasan Ali, but haven't been able to take advantage of that. Williamson and Raval have done well to get their eye in and both look good. If this pair can see the day off, the visitors will be a happy bunch. |
| 14.1 : M Abbas to J Raval, Full length delivery shaping in on off, Jeet drives towards mid off. |
| 14.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Brave leave. Length delivery just around off, shapes in and Raval leaves. Probably was missing off all along, but maybe even Raval didn't think it'd be this close to the off stump. |
| 14.3 : M Abbas to Raval, On a length on off, defended in front of cover from within the crease. |
| 14.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Good length ball on the fifth stump line, arms are shouldered to let it through. |
| 14.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Full delivery just outside off, defensively pushed towards the cover fielder. |
| 14.6 : M Abbas to Raval, FOUR! Welcome runs for Raval and New Zealand. Full and swinging back in, it's flicked through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 15.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Full and straight, Kane Williamson is well forward in defense. |
| 15.2 : Y Shah to K Williamson, Quite full on off, drilled out on the off side. |
| 15.3 : Y Shah to K Williamson, Short and flat, spinning away from outside off, cut to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 15.4 : Y Shah to Raval, A lot of revs on this, outside off, Raval presses forward to get close to the pitch and gets an inside edge back onto his pads. |
| 15.5 : Y Shah to Raval, Waits for the ball to come to him, hangs back and blocks it well. |
| 15.6 : Y Shah to Raval, That's missed everything completely! Great catch from umpire Bruce Oxenford. Yasir tosses it up around off, Raval goes down to sweep but misses and the ball goes through his legs. It races away behind as the batsmen take three. Everybody thought it was a leg bye, except for umpire Oxenford. |
| Bilal Asif is on to bowl. |
| 16.1 : B Asif to Raval, Going away on the stumps, worked away on the leg side. |
| 16.2 : B Asif to Raval, The short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 16.3 : B Asif to Raval, Outside off, turning away, left alone. |
| 16.4 : B Asif to Raval, Looped up, outside off, pushed through covers off the front foot for one. |
| 16.5 : B Asif to Williamson, Williamson comes forward, plays with the spin as he turns it to short leg. |
| 16.6 : B Asif to Williamson, Goes on the back foot this time and works it to short leg once more. |
| 17.1 : Y Shah to Raval, Serves it on a driving length, coming in from outside off, the southpaw comes forward and blocks. |
| 17.2 : Y Shah to Raval, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 17.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Watches the ball carefully, waits for it to turn into him and then defends off the back foot. |
| 17.4 : Y Shah to J Raval, Floated outside off, and coming in, Raval prods forward to defend but is caught on the front pad. Impact well outside off. |
| Sarfraz bringing another close-in fielder. A silly point in place now, along with the slip and short leg already positioned. |
| 17.5 : Y Shah to Raval, Sharp spin into the batsman, catches him on the thigh pad as he looks to play off the back foot. |
| 17.6 : Y Shah to Raval, Quick, flat and short outside off, punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 18.1 : B Asif to Williamson, Full and straight, on the stumps, turned away in front of square leg. |
| 18.2 : B Asif to Williamson, Touch short around off, Kane works it square on the leg side and changes ends. |
| 18.3 : B Asif to Raval, Quite full outside off from around the wicket, it's driven through the gap in the covers for one more. |
| 18.4 : B Asif to Williamson, Kane goes on the back foot and works it away on the leg side. |
| 18.5 : B Asif to Williamson, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 18.6 : B Asif to Williamson, Moves across his sticks as the ball spins into him and clips it to the man at square leg. |
| 19.1 : Y Shah to K Williamson, Full, loopy and on the stumps, drilled towards mid on for no run. |
| 19.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Quicker and fuller outside off, Kane defends. |
| 19.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Short and flat, on off, whipped from the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 19.4 : Y Shah to Williamson, Flights it right up there, on middle and leg, a front foot defensive shot is presented in response. |
| 19.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Turning away from around off, on a shorter length, punched away square towards point. |
| 19.6 : Y Shah to Williamson, Tad quicker through the air on off, punched back in the bowler's direction to end the over. |
| 20.1 : B Asif to Raval, Flatter and quicker angling in on leg, Raval gets low and paddles it fine down the leg side. He'll get a brace for it. |
| 20.2 : B Asif to Raval, Landed outside off on a driving length, Jeet shoulders arms to it. |
| 20.3 : B Asif to Raval, Full and slow on off, blocked with the full face. |
| 20.4 : B Asif to Raval, FOUR! Floated on middle and off, Raval gets forward and across before bringing out the lap shot. Connects well, uses the pace and finds the fine leg fence. Beats the chasing fielder. Good shot. The 50 comes up for New Zealand, they trail by 22 runs. |
| 20.5 : B Asif to Raval, Full delivery outside off, driven square on the off side for a single. |
| 20.6 : B Asif to Williamson, Spinning down leg, Williamson looks to flick but misses. |
| 21.1 : Y Shah to J Raval, Good running between the wickets. Raval wrists this towards Bilal at mid on and both batsmen take off. There is a shy at the non-striker's end but it misses. Had he hit, would have been close. |
| 21.2 : Y Shah to Williamson, Leg spinner outside off, on a driving length, Williamson comes forward to defend but gets beaten. |
| 21.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Flat and short on off, forced from the back foot to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 21.4 : Y Shah to Raval, Extremely full outside off, pushed square towards point. |
| 21.5 : Y Shah to Raval, The leg break spinning in a long way from outside off, Jeet goes back and works it down on the leg side. |
| 21.6 : Y Shah to Raval, The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. Misses it in the end. |
| The umpire takes out his light meter and checks. The reading shows it's fine enough to continue. The floodlights are on. Also, Mohammad Hafeez into the attack now. |
| 22.1 : M Hafeez to Williamson, Minimal spin around off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 22.2 : M Hafeez to Williamson, Quite slow through the air, fuller around off, Williamson is well forward in defense. |
| 22.3 : M Hafeez to Williamson, Flat and short on leg, Kane works it off his pads and sends it to deep mid-wicket for one run. |
| 22.4 : M Hafeez to Raval, Around the wicket now, floated on off, blocked from the front foot. |
| So, the umpires take another reading and decide it isn't good enough now to continue. Play has been called off due to bad light. That's STUMPS ON DAY 2! |
| A good day for the Black Caps. They took 8 Pakistan wickets since the day started, restricting the lead to just 74 runs. Trent Boult was the leader of the pack as he ran riot with a 4-wicket haul, with the rest chipping in with handy contributions of their own. If not for Babar Azam and his solid fifty, Pakistan's lead would have been slimmer. In response, New Zealand lost Latham early as Hasan Ali removed him but Kane Williamson and Jeet Raval have looked as assured as anyone after that with th |
| The surface was expected to prefer the batsmen, but it has proved quite even and provided something to all. Day 3 is poised quite well and it could make for good viewing for the neutrals. That is, of course, if it doesn't rain as there's some forecast for it. For now, the action will begin on time at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Do join in for all the action. Take care! |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| Welcome to Day 3 of the first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand. We have had riveting action over the past two days and the match is pretty evenly poised right now. New Zealand after a dismal Day 1 have done really well to recover and pull this game back on Day 2 and generate interest. Looking forward to today's play, one of the factors could be how the weather behaves. There is forecast for showers over the day but we hope it stays away as the Test enters the 'moving day' and we will get a |
| The first hour of play will be crucial and New Zealand's skipper and best batsman, Kane Williamson will have to shoulder the responsibility of guiding the Black Caps through this phase of play. The pitch is certainly a tough one to play on but not unplayable. Pakistan, on the other hand will be looking to knock off the mainstay and bowl out the visitors cheaply as batting fourth on this pitch will be really tricky and they'd like their target to be as low as possible. Join us for live action in |
| We are all set for the action to resume. Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson will resume their innings. Mohammad Hafeez will complete his over. He has two balls to go. Here we go... |
| 22.5 : M Hafeez to Raval, From around the wicket, nice and flighted on middle. Raval comes ahead and defends. |
| 22.6 : M Hafeez to Raval, Full and on off again, the batsman comes well forward and defends. |
| Yasir Shah to bowl from the other end. |
| 23.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Nice and flighted outside off, first run of the morning as Williamson comes forward and pushes it to cover for a single. |
| 23.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Good length and starting on middle, spins away down leg and hits Raval on the pad as he comes ahead to defend. |
| 23.3 : Y Shah to Raval, FOUR! Slightly shorter, Raval goes back and punches it straight down the ground to the long off fence. First boundary today. |
| 23.4 : Y Shah to Raval, Full and flighted outside off this time, Raval prods ahead and dead bats it. |
| 23.5 : Y Shah to Raval, Small appeal from the bowler but Raval was well ahead to that one. It was pitched outside off and he comes ahead to that one but misses it, the ball hits him on the front pad. Going down leg. |
| 23.6 : Y Shah to Raval, Flatter and quicker on off stump, Raval stays back to this one and defends it. |
| Mohammad Abbas is into the attack. |
| 24.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Starts off on a good length, Williamson is inside the crease and defends with a straight bat. |
| 24.2 : M Abbas to K Williamson, Length ball on middle, Williamson presents the full face of the bat as he defends to mid on. |
| 24.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, Back to just outside off and on a length, Williamson covers his off pole and then lets it go through. |
| 24.4 : M Abbas to Williamson, Well outside off this time, the skipper leaves it alone easily. |
| 24.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Outside off and on a length again, Williamson shoulders arms again. |
| 24.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, Slightly fuller and on off stump, Williamson defends as he is half-forward to this one. |
| 25.1 : Y Shah to Raval, Quicker and fuller on off, Raval comes ahead and defends it straight back to the bowler. |
| 25.2 : Y Shah to Raval, FOUR! The ball is full and on middle, Raval dances down the wicker and whips it through wide mid on, it beats the dive of that fielder and races to the fence. |
| 25.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Quick one again on off stump, Raval defends on the front foot. |
| 25.4 : Y Shah to Raval, FOUR! Over the top this time, the ball is full and outside off again. Raval hits it over mid on for another boundary. Positive from intent from Raval this morning. |
| 25.5 : Y Shah to Raval, Full and outside off again, no spin yet. Raval comes ahead and defends again. |
| 25.6 : Y Shah to Raval, On the pads and slightly short this time, the leftie flicks it away to square leg for a single. Good over for New Zealand as 9 comes from it. |
| 26.1 : M Abbas to Raval, On a good length and well outside off, Raval leaves it alone. |
| 26.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Slightly shorter and outside off this time. Comes in a bit after landing, Raval lets it go through watchfully. |
| 26.3 : M Abbas to Raval, On a length and off stump now, Raval is half ahead and defends it into the ground. |
| 26.4 : M Abbas to Raval, Around the wicket this time, Raval takes a step forward and pushes into the gap through the covers and picks up three as Azhar Ali gives chase. New Zealand now trail only by 1 run. |
| 26.5 : M Abbas to Williamson, Low bounce on this occasion and angling down the leg side, Williamson looks to help it on its way but the ball is way down leg for him to get bat on it. |
| 26.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, On a good length and just above off stump as the skipper defends presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 27.1 : Y Shah to Raval, Fuller and on leg stump, Raval plays it to short mid-wicket. |
| 27.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Full and quick at the pads, Raval brings his bat ahead of his front leg and defends it. |
| 27.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Similar ball and similarly defended again. |
| 27.4 : Y Shah to Raval, This ball is flighted and on middle, Raval makes room to drive it through the covers and picks up a single. New Zealand on level terms with Pakistan now. |
| 27.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Shorter and quicker on middle, it is defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 27.6 : Y Shah to Williamson, Not great bowling from Yasir, on the pads again, Williamson stays back and easily defends it toward short mid-wicket. |
| 28.1 : M Abbas to Raval, Around the wicket, slightly short of a length and on off. Raval goes back and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 28.2 : M Abbas to Raval, Fuller and outside off, Raval gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends it comfortably. |
| 28.3 : M Abbas to Raval, Well outside off on this occasion as the left-hander just shoulders his arms to it. |
| 28.4 : M Abbas to Raval, On middle this time, Raval wants to drive it down the ground. The ball gets the inner half of the bat, hits the pad and rolls onto the leg side. No run. |
| 28.5 : M Abbas to Raval, Surprise bouncer this time at the hips, Raval jumps and manages to keep it down and plays it behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 28.6 : M Abbas to Williamson, On length and on middle stump line, Williamson plays a wristy shot to short mid-wicket. |
| 29.1 : Y Shah to Raval, Good drift on this ball after landing outside off, Raval tries to drive but gets the inside edge that goes onto the leg side. |
| 29.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Looped up on middle and spinning in, Raval plays it to mid-wicket. |
| 29.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Goes slightly short this time, Raval just works it off his pads toward square leg. |
| 29.4 : Y Shah to Raval, Shorter and quicker on middle, Raval goes back in his crease and defends. |
| 29.5 : Y Shah to Raval, Spins away and well down the legside, Raval wants to poke it away in the gap but doesn't get willow on it. |
| 29.6 : Y Shah to Raval, Short of a length and decent turn but way down the legside, the left-hander wants to flick it away but misses the ball to be hit on his thigh guard. |
| 30.1 : M Abbas to Williamson, Short and outside off, Williamson lets it go through to Sarfraz. |
| 30.2 : M Abbas to Williamson, Good length and on middle, Williamson is rock solid in defense. |
| 30.3 : M Abbas to Williamson, On a good length and just outside off, Kane defends to cover very watchfully. |
| 30.4 : M Abbas to K Williamson, FOUR! What a classy shot! Good length and just outside off. Not much wrong with the ball but that's the class of the batsman. Williamson guides it beautifully in the gap towards the left of point for a boundary. |
| 30.5 : M Abbas to K Williamson, Good length outside off again and a beautiful drive through the covers this time. The boundary is quite long and the batsmen come back for three easily. |
| 30.6 : M Abbas to Raval, On length and angling in towards off stump, Raval defends it into the ground, this time off the front foot. |
| 31.1 : Y Shah to Williamson, Looped and on off, Williamson takes a step down and drives to mid on and is immediately off for a single. Easily into the crease at the non-striker's end as mid on has a shy at the stumps. |
| 31.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Full and outside off, Raval drives to the right of mid off and gives the strike back to the skipper. |
| 31.3 : Y Shah to Williamson, Shorter and quicker outside off, Williamson cuts it to backward point. |
| 31.4 : Y Shah to Williamson, Quicker at the pads, Williamson defends it off the back foot. |
| 31.5 : Y Shah to Williamson, Looped on off, Kane prods ahead and smothers the spin on this one by defending it into the ground. |
| 31.6 : Y Shah to K Williamson, Outside off, driven away to sweeper cover for a single. |
| Hasan Ali is now into the attack. |
| The ball is not doing a lot for the Pakistan and the two batters are playing quite comfortably. |
| 32.1 : H Ali to Williamson, On a good length, outside off. Williamson cover the line of the delivery and defends it. |
| 32.2 : H Ali to Williamson, Outside off on a length this time, Williamson plays a good looking shot to cover. |
| 32.3 : H Ali to Williamson, Drifting onto the pads this time, Williamson plays it to short mid-wicket. No run. |
| 32.4 : H Ali to Williamson, Good ball this time, slightly quicker and keeps a little low. Williamson gets down and keeps it out well. |
| 32.5 : H Ali to Williamson, Short of a length and outside off. Kane ducks down and lets it go through. |
| 32.6 : H Ali to Williamson, Good length ball on middle, Williamson is half ahead as he plays it mid on. |
| 33.1 : Y Shah to Raval, Around the wicket to the left-hander now. An extra man around the bat now at silly point. The ball is flighted outside off, Raval comes ahead to defend it. |
| 33.2 : Y Shah to Raval, Pitched wide outside off, Raval takes a big stride forward and defends it into the ground. |
| 33.3 : Y Shah to Raval, Shorter and spinning into the pads this time, Raval plays it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 33.4 : Y Shah to K Williamson, OUT! Bowled 'em! A peach out of nowhere from Yasir Shah. The New Zealand skipper has a lapse of concentration and plays back to a ball that he should've probably been ahead to. The ball is around middle and turns away very slightly. Enough to beat the outside edge of Williamson's bat as he is looking to defend. The ball seems to have clipped the off pole and the Pakistan players start celebrating. The umpire though, just to be sure, take it upstairs to check if the |
| Ross Taylor walks out to the middle. |
| 33.5 : Y Shah to Taylor, The ball is fuller and on middle now, Taylor goes for the sweep. The ball takes the top edge and goes in the air toward fine leg for a couple. |
| 33.6 : Y Shah to Taylor, Full and quick on middle again, Taylor sweeps it again but middles it this time. Goes straight to backward square leg for a run. |
| 34.1 : H Ali to Taylor, Good length ball just outside off, Taylor comes ahead and defends it with the full face of the bat. |
| 34.2 : H Ali to Taylor, This is slightly fuller and on off, driven hard but straight to mid off. |
| 34.3 : H Ali to Taylor, On a good length and middle this time, Taylor stays back and defends to mid on. |
| 34.4 : H Ali to Taylor, Short of a good length and on middle, Taylor plays it down the ground with a straight bat and goes to the other end. |
| 34.5 : H Ali to Raval, On a good length and angling away from the left-hander, Raval lets this one go. |
| 34.6 : H Ali to Raval, On the middle stump this time, Raval is solid in defense. |
| 35.1 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flighted outside off, Taylor comes down the wicket and drives through the covers for a couple. |
| 35.2 : Y Shah to Taylor, FOUR! This is a poor ball outside off, Taylor cuts it behind point for four. Backward point dives but can't stop this one. Taylor is playing a lot of shots this morning. |
| 35.3 : Y Shah to R Taylor, FOUR! Short and outside off again, Taylor cuts it again, this time to the right of point and for four again. The hundred is up for the Black Caps. The Pakistanis are feeding Taylor with bad balls. |
| 35.4 : Y Shah to Taylor, Short and well outside off again, Taylor cuts again but this is straight to the point fielder. |
| 35.5 : Y Shah to Taylor, FOUR! This is the third boundary in the over. Taylor steps down the wicket and lifts it over mid-wicket this time. The ball is quick and on middle. Taylor comes down and converts it into a half-volley as he continues to be aggressive and counter-attacking against the leg spinner. |
| 35.6 : Y Shah to Taylor, Shorter and quicker this time on middle and leg, Taylor steps back and defends it with a straight bat. Good ball to end the over which had 14 coming off it. |
| 36.1 : H Ali to Raval, Good length and just outside off, Raval makes a leave. |
| 36.2 : H Ali to Raval, Length again around off, Raval gets forward and blocks it out. |
| 36.3 : H Ali to Raval, A good change in length there! A well-directed bouncer by Ali. Raval ducks under it at the very end. |
| 36.4 : H Ali to Raval, Another short ball but with not a lot of fizz. Raval gets behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 36.5 : H Ali to Raval, A little too wide outside off, left alone. |
| 36.6 : H Ali to Raval, Another bumper to end the over! Raval ducks under it with ease. |
| Drinks break! A very good hour of play for the New Zealanders if you take out the wicket of their skipper. They have wiped off the deficit and the pitch looks pretty easy to bat on now. Williamson will be kicking himself for a lapse of concentration. Pakistan will be happy and look to pick another wicket or two before lunch. |
| 37.1 : Y Shah to Taylor, Gives it a nice loop around off, it turns away. Taylor makes a leave. |
| 37.2 : Y Shah to R Taylor, Has that been dropped? Well, judging by the reaction of the Pakistan players, it does seem so. Would have been a freakish dismissal. Taylor has absolutely creamed that towards silly point who takes evasive action. The ball hits his boot and lobs up towards Yasir who dives forward and tries to take it but fails to do so. Would not have mattered though as the ball bounced before hitting the foot. |
| 37.3 : Y Shah to Taylor, Taylor dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He defends it. |
| 37.4 : Y Shah to Taylor, Flatter and around off, Taylor defends it onto the ground. |
| 37.5 : Y Shah to Taylor, Quicker again and it is in that in-between length. Taylor is not sure whether to play it off the front or the back foot. He in the end defends it from within his crease. |
| 37.6 : Y Shah to Taylor, Works it against the turn for a single through mid-wicket. Taylor has scored all the runs in this partnership which is worth 19 at the moment. |
| 38.1 : Ali to Taylor, OUT! That is absolutely plumb in front! Hasan Ali strikes! Probably the first ball which has come in a long way and it has provided the wicket for Pakistan. On a length and around off, it comes back in late. Taylor plants his front foot right across and then fails to adjust to the in-dipper. He misses the flick and the ball hits the front pad. An appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. Taylor starts walking back as he knew he is a dead duck. |
| 0.0 : Henry Nicholls is the new man in. |
| 38.2 : H Ali to Nicholls, Back of a length on off, Nicholls defends it onto the ground. |
| 38.3 : H Ali to Nicholls, Goes for the yorker but ends up bowling a full toss, the batsman strokes it through mid on and collects three. Nicholls is off the mark with that. |
| 38.4 : H Ali to Raval, Good aggression by the bowler! Full and on off, it is driven back to the bowler. He mimes a throw at the striker's end and then gives the batsman the stare. He has his tail up at the moment. |
| 38.5 : H Ali to Raval, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Second in the over and New Zealand are now in big, big trouble. Raval falls four shot of a fifty. Excellent stuff by Hasan Ali. He got the right hander with the in-dipper and now gets the left-hander with an awayswinger. On a length and around off, it is first angled into the batsman and then gets it to shape away a touch late. Raval plays inside the line, the ball kisses the outside edge and Sarfraz Ahmed behind makes no mistake. Pakistan are ecstatic |
| BJ Watling is the new man in. |
| 38.6 : H Ali to Watling, On a length and around off, Watling keeps it out. Brilliant over by Hasan, three runs and two wickets from it. |
| 39.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Gives it air outside off, Nicholls works it to mid-wicket with the turn. |
| 39.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Another leg spinner and Nicholls works it around the corner for no runs. |
| 39.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Brings out the sweep but mistimes it through square leg. |
| 39.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Down the leg side, the batsman misses the flick. |
| 39.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, On the shorter side, Nicholls defends it onto the ground. Yasir should probably bowl from the over the wicket angle, threatening both the edges, just might create more opportunities. |
| 39.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Gives it a little more air this time and Nicholls it solid in defense. |
| 40.1 : H Ali to Watling, FOUR! A freebie for Watling to get off the mark! Short and wide outside off, BJ cuts it through backward point for a boundary. |
| 40.2 : H Ali to Watling, Better! Bowls it closer to the off pole, it is kept out. |
| 40.3 : H Ali to Watling, On a length and around off, it is kept out. |
| 40.4 : H Ali to Watling, Full and wide outside off, it comes back in but not enough to make the batsman play. |
| 40.5 : H Ali to Watling, Another inswinger from off, BJ is solid in defense. |
| 40.6 : H Ali to Watling, On the shorter side, Watling stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 41.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This is floated around off, the batsman sweeps it through square leg for a run. |
| 41.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Gives it air on middle, it turns away ever so slightly. Watling tries to flick but gets a soft leading edge towards covers. |
| 41.3 : Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 41.4 : Y Shah to Watling, FOUR! Picked the line of the delivery quickly there. This is down the leg side, Watling quickly goes down on one knee and paddles it fine down the leg side. It races away to the fence. |
| 41.5 : Y Shah to Watling, Flatter and on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 41.6 : Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 42.1 : H Ali to Nicholls, Back of a length on off, it is kept out. |
| 42.2 : H Ali to Nicholls, Loose, loose stroke! Short and wide outside off, Nicholls goes to cut away from his body but luckily for him he gets beaten. |
| 42.3 : H Ali to Nicholls, Good length and around off, it is blocked. |
| 42.4 : H Ali to H Nicholls, On the fuller side, the batsman drives it square on the off side but finds the fielder. |
| 42.5 : H Ali to H Nicholls, On the shorter side, Nicholls swivels and pulls it through square leg for a run. |
| 42.6 : H Ali to Watling, On the shorter side, the batsman defends it onto the ground. |
| 43.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Tosses it up around off, Nicholls lunges and defends it out. |
| 43.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Brings out the sweep shot but misses and is hit on the pads. No risk what so ever as Nicholls plants his front foot out of the line of the off stump. |
| 43.3 : Y Shah to H Nicholls, The is flighted outside off, it is kept out. |
| 43.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Down the leg side, Nicholls waits for the ball to do its bit and then works it fine down the leg side. Three taken. |
| 43.5 : Y Shah to Watling, Gives it a nice loop and the batsman keeps it out. |
| 43.6 : Y Shah to Watling, This is quicker and a bit shorter on middle, Watling goes back and whips it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| Mohammad Abbas is back on. |
| 44.1 : M Abbas to Nicholls, On a length and outside off, the ball is left alone. |
| 44.2 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Good length again and outside off, the batsman once again does not fiddle with it. |
| 44.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Closer to the off pole this time, Nicholls gets right behind the line and defends it. |
| 44.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Comes around the wicket but the line is not the right one, it is outside off and the batsman lets it be. |
| 44.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, On off and it is kept out. This is the line he bowls on regular basis, however, he has been a little too wide outside off today. |
| 44.6 : M Abbas to H Nicholls, Full and around off, Nicholls reaches out to it and strokes it to covers. |
| Bilal Asif is into the attack. |
| 45.1 : B Asif to Watling, Gives it air on off, Watling lunges and blocks it out. |
| 45.2 : B Asif to Watling, Goes down on one knee and paddles it fine down the leg side for a run. |
| 45.3 : B Asif to Watling, On the shorter side, the batsman goes onto the back foot and pulls it towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 45.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Good turn there! However, it needed to bowled a little more closer to the off pole. This is floated outside off, Nicholls first thinks of playing at it but then seeing the turn, pulls out of the shot. |
| 45.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Gives it a nice loop on middle, HN prods forward and tries to keep it out. |
| 45.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Top edge but safe! This is flighted outside off, Nicholls tries to sweep but the extra bounce causes problems. It takes a top edge but lands in no man's land at the short fine leg region. Couple taken. Sarfraz was heard telling be ready for the top edge but not sure to which fielder. The top edge was induced but there was no fielder there. |
| 46.1 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length on off, the batsman defends it onto the ground. |
| 46.2 : M Abbas to Watling, Length again and around off, it is kept out. |
| 46.3 : M Abbas to Watling, On the fuller side and it tails back in a touch. The batsman strokes it back to the bowler. |
| 46.4 : M Abbas to Watling, A little too straight this time, BJ works it to mid-wicket. |
| 46.5 : M Abbas to Watling, On the stumps and it is flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 46.6 : M Abbas to Watling, Again a straighter line. It seems to be a plan with two mid-wickets in place, they are hoping for the batsman to flick it uppishly to one of the two. That does not happen though as Watling flicks it all along the ground to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 47.1 : B Asif to Nicholls, Slightly shorter and on off, the batsman flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 47.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Shorter and outside off, Nicholls goes back and slaps it through point for a run. |
| 47.3 : B Asif to Watling, The off spinner on middle, Watling works it to short leg. |
| 47.4 : B Asif to Watling, Uses his feet and then works it through mid-wicket to rotate strike. A good partnership building here for New Zealand. |
| 47.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Well bowled! This is flatter and around off, it pitches and straightens a touch. HN goes back and plays inside the line to get beaten. |
| 47.6 : B Asif to H Nicholls, On off, blocked. |
| 48.1 : M Abbas to Watling, Length again and outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 48.2 : M Abbas to Watling, On the fuller side and it comes in a touch. The batsman strokes it towards silly mid on. |
| 48.3 : M Abbas to Watling, On the pads, it is worked to fine leg for a single. |
| 48.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Around off, the batsman gets right behind the line and defends it. |
| 48.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Attacks the off pole again, HN blocks it onto the ground. |
| 48.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Well bowled and also well played! This is pitched on off and then straightens. It also bounces a touch. Nicholls first tries to defend but then seeing the extra bounce, pulls his bat out of the way. |
| 49.1 : B Asif to Watling, Gives it air around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 49.2 : B Asif to Watling, Works it with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| Watling is a goner! He has been given out LBW but he has reviewed. Looks out to be honest. |
| 49.3 : B Asif to Watling, NOT OUT! Missing leg! Did not see that coming to be honest. Excellent use of the technology though by New Zealand. This is tossed up around off, it turns back in after pitching. Watling shuffles across and goes on the back foot, he tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal follows and the umpire agrees. Watling walks upto his partner and then signals the 'T'. Replays roll in and it shows it is going down leg. Watling survives to fight another day and Ne |
| 49.4 : B Asif to Watling, This is tossed up on off, blocked. |
| 49.5 : B Asif to Watling, BYE! Down the leg side, Watling goes for the pull but misses. The keeper fails to collect it cleanly. The ball rolls towards short fine leg and a bye is taken. |
| 49.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 3! |
| Pakistan's session without a doubt! 3 massive wickets and almost another one towards the end of the session. The first one being the biggest, the New Zealand skipper. Ross Taylor entertained till he was there in the middle but played one shot too many and got caught plumb in front by a Hasan Ali special. The latter picked up one more as he had the well-set Raval caught behind. |
| New Zealand will be disappointed as there were not many questions that the pitch was throwing at them. They needed a bit more application. Having said that, take nothing away from the Pakistan bowlers. They toiled hard and got their rewards. They will look to come back and do more of the same. Join us for the post Lunch session in a while! |
| ... Day 3, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. BJ Watling and Henry Nicholls will continue their innings. For the hosts, Mohammad Abbas will bowl the first over. |
| 50.1 : M Abbas to Watling, Comes in from over the wicket and lands it short and wide. A rare loosner from Abbas. Cut away past point for a brace. |
| 50.2 : M Abbas to Watling, That is the Abbas we know. Length ball in line of the stumps, Watling blocks it out with a straight bat. |
| 50.3 : M Abbas to Watling, A tad fuller around off, Watling keeps it out. |
| 50.4 : M Abbas to Watling, Full again on off, bunted down. |
| 50.5 : M Abbas to Watling, On a good length around off, Watling plays it to the of side. |
| 50.6 : M Abbas to Watling, Good comeback from Abbas. Apart from the first ball the rest were on point. This one is on a good length, BJ punches it back ahead. |
| Bilal Asif to bowl from the other end. |
| 51.1 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flighted just outside off, Nicholls prods ahead and defends. |
| 51.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Looped up outside off again, Nicholls covers the spin and defends. |
| 51.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Even more loop this time, Nicholls keeps it out again. |
| 51.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, Slightly flatter this time outside off, Nicholls goes on the back foot and plays it to short cover. |
| 51.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, This one is well outside off, left alone by the left-hander this time. |
| 51.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Spins and beats the edge! Nicholls comes forward to defend the ball outside off on a full length and the ball turns away to beat his outside edge. |
| 52.1 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length ball on the off stump, Watling defends on the front foot. |
| 52.2 : M Abbas to Watling, Just outside off, Watling is half forward to this one and defends it to cover. |
| 52.3 : M Abbas to Watling, On middle this time, Watling works it to mid-wicket. |
| 52.4 : M Abbas to Watling, Full and on the pads, Watling flicks it off his pads straight to short mid-wicket again. |
| 52.5 : M Abbas to Watling, FOUR! Wonderful flick off the pads and this time in the gap. The ball is overpitched and at the pads, easily worked square on the leg side to the fence. |
| 52.6 : M Abbas to Watling, Full and angling in on middle again, Watling flicks it again but this time short mid-wicket dives to his right and keeps it down to a single. |
| 53.1 : B Asif to Watling, Flighted in on middle, Watling comes ahead and defends it on to the leg side. |
| 53.2 : B Asif to Watling, Looped on off stump, Watling plays it with soft hands onto the ground on the leg side. |
| 53.3 : B Asif to Watling, Huge appeal from Pakistan but the umpire is not fazed. The ball was flighted on off stump and spinning in slightly. After a long discussion, Sarfraz decides not to go for the review. Watling goes down and attempts to sweep this one but misses it. The replays show that the ball hits his forearm before going on to hit the pads. |
| 53.4 : B Asif to Watling, Flatter ball on off, Watling covers the turn and defends it. |
| 53.5 : B Asif to BJ Watling, This ball is flatter and turning into Watling, he rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 53.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Short and on middle, Nicholls stays in the crease and defends. |
| 54.1 : M Abbas to Watling, The keeper has come up to the stumps. The ball was on good length and outside off, defended by Watling to short cover. |
| 54.2 : M Abbas to Watling, Slightly fuller than a good length, the batsman flicks it away to deep square leg for a single. |
| 54.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, The ball is just short of a length and Nicholls goes back and defends with a straight bat. |
| 54.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, This is well outside off on a length, Nicholls shoulders arms to it. |
| 54.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, This ball is on a good length and on middle, Nicholls plays it to mid on with a straight bat. No run. |
| 54.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, This ball is on the pads and is played by Henry with the angle towards square leg for a run. |
| 55.1 : B Asif to Nicholls, Nicely tossed up around off, the batsman lunges and keeps it out. |
| 55.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flatter and on off, Nicholls goes back and defends it onto the ground. |
| 55.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Gives it nice amount of air on off, HN prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 55.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 55.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Another loopy ball on off, Henry blocks it onto the ground. |
| 55.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, A short delivery to end the over, Nicholls pushes it back towards mid on. Bilal is getting turn but it is slow turn, also the ball which have turned are pitched outside off, so nothing for the batsman to worry about. |
| Yasir Shah is back into the attack now. |
| 56.1 : Y Shah to Watling, Flatter and well outside off, Watling cuts it straight to point. |
| 56.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Flat again and outside off, Watling cuts it away to point again and picks up a single. Extra bounce on this one. |
| 56.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flighted well outside off, Nicholls is drawn forward and his attempted forward defense takes the inside edge. Luckily for him, it drops away from the short leg fielder. |
| 56.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This one is way outside off, Nicholls prods ahead and pads it away. The ball lobs onto the leg side. No risk involed here. |
| 56.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Nicholls takes a large stride and sweeps it to short fine leg. No run though. |
| 56.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Fuller and outside off, Nicholls comes ahead to defend and is struck on the pad but impact is outside off so there is no problem here for the Kiwi. |
| 57.1 : B Asif to Watling, This is worked through square leg with the turn for a run. |
| 57.2 : B Asif to H Nicholls, This is driven crisply towards the cover fielder who makes a good stop to his right. |
| 57.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Shorter and outside off, Nicholls goes back and punches it towards cover for a run. |
| 57.4 : B Asif to Watling, Gives it air on off, the batsman defends it off the front foot. |
| 57.5 : B Asif to Watling, In the air... but safe! The bounce there surprised Watling. This is slightly shorter around off, it pitches and then takes off. Watling was shaping up for playing the pull shot but then seeing the bounce, checks his shot. It goes uppishly towards square leg for a run. |
| 57.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Changes the angle for the left-hander and bowls it from over the wicket. It is outside off and it has been left alone. |
| 58.1 : Y Shah to Watling, Flatter and outside off, Watling punches it straight at silly point on the bounce. He's not hurt though. |
| 58.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Fuller and on off stump, Watling smothers the spin on this one by defending it into the ground. |
| 58.3 : Y Shah to Watling, Fuller and quicker outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 58.4 : Y Shah to BJ Watling, Looped up this time outside off, driven to mid off by Watling. |
| 58.5 : Y Shah to Watling, Flatter delivery at a quick pace. Watling comes forward to defend it again. |
| 58.6 : Y Shah to Watling, Shorter ball on off stump, the batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. Maiden over. |
| 59.1 : B Asif to Nicholls, Good ball! This one is well bowled on off stump and turns slightly. But the ball is well dealt with by Nicholls. |
| 59.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Fuller and well outside off on this occasion, Nicholls keeps it out. |
| 59.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, FOUR! 150 up for New Zealand! Welcome boundary for them, one must say! The ball is flighted and overpitched outside off, Nicholls sweeps it away to the square leg fence. |
| 59.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, This one is darted in quicker and shorter on middle. Nicholls gets behind the line of the ball and defends. |
| 59.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Fuller and outside off, The batsman drives this through the covers but no run. |
| 59.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, This one is short and on off stump, Nicholls punches it through the covers for a single and keeps the strike. |
| 60.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Nicholls is taking large strides to make sure he takes LBW out of question. He sweeps this full one from outside off to short fine leg. |
| 60.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Similar ball but this time he sweeps it squarer this time and picks up a run. |
| 60.3 : Y Shah to BJ Watling, No run. |
| 60.4 : Y Shah to Watling, Faint outside edge but it was soft hands so that ball just drops down in front of slip. It was looped up on off stump and turned away slightly at the last moment. |
| 60.5 : Y Shah to Watling, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 60.6 : Y Shah to Watling, Slightly fuller on middle, driven down the ground by Watling but there's no run available. |
| 61.1 : B Asif to Nicholls, Length delivery and turning away outside off, Nicholls cuts it away in the gap through point for a couple. |
| 61.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Looped up on off, Nicholls takes account of the spin and defends it well. |
| 61.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, Well flighted outside off and turning away, Nicholls doesn't find the need to play at it. |
| 61.4 : B Asif to Nicholls, The ball is drifting onto the pads on this occasion, Nicholls flicks it to mid-wicket for a couple. It brings up the 50-run stand between these two. Good stand this! Needs to continue though. The lead is now 84. |
| 61.5 : B Asif to Nicholls, Fuller and on middle, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 61.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Nicholls is looking solid here as keeps another full one out comfortably. |
| 62.1 : Y Shah to BJ Watling, Good flighted ball outside off, Watling gives his partner the strike by driving it to sweeper cover. |
| 62.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Around the wicket to the leftie, just falls short of short leg! The ball was outside off, lands on a rough patch and turns in quite a lot to take the inside edge of Nicholls' bat who was trying to defend on the front foot. |
| 62.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shorter and turning into the pads, Nicholls flicks it onto the leg side but straight to the fielder. |
| 62.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Fuller and flighted again outside off, Nicholls sweeps it away to square leg. No run though. |
| 62.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This one rares up of a good length and turns to beat the inside edge of Nicholls who comes ahead to defend. The ball was rising as it hits the pads, hence there is not much of an appeal. |
| 62.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, FOUR! Reverse swept and it has been hit well! This is full and outside off, Nicholls gets to the pitch of the ball as he takes a huge stride and reverse sweeps to the third man fence all along the ground. |
| Hasan Ali is back on. |
| 63.1 : H Ali to Watling, Length ball outside off, Watling punches it to point off the back foot. |
| 63.2 : H Ali to Watling, This one is left alone by BJ as the ball is on length and well outside off. |
| 63.3 : H Ali to Watling, Similar length but slightly closer to the off pole this time due to which Watling decides to defend it with his willow. |
| 63.4 : H Ali to Watling, Hasan is pegging away at the off stump, short of a length this time. Watling defends it comfortably though off the back foot. |
| 63.5 : H Ali to Watling, Just as I say he is on off stump, he darts one in at the hips. It is worked away by Watling behind square leg for a single. |
| 63.6 : H Ali to Nicholls, Around the wicket to the left-hander, Nicholls defends it coming half-forward to this one which is on good length and outside off. |
| 64.1 : Y Shah to Watling, Flatter and outside off, Watling cuts it away towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 64.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Around the wicket this time, flatter and turning into the pads, Nicholls rocks back and works it away towards square leg for another run. |
| 64.3 : Y Shah to Watling, Good ball this time! Just outside off, Watling comes ahead and defends it well though. |
| 64.4 : Y Shah to Watling, This one is shorter and wide outside off, Watling cuts it away to the fielder deep on the off side for another single. |
| 64.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This one turns a lot after landing, Nicholls looks to work it away behind square leg but misses it to get hit on the pad. But the ball is turning too much so there is no appeal. |
| 64.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shorter again and turning into Nicholls' pads. He flicks it away towards square leg and runs the first one quickly, putting pressure on the fielder who misfields it, allowing them to come back for a comfortable couple in the end. The lead has swelled upto 95 now. |
| 65.1 : H Ali to Watling, Slightly short of a good length, Watling defends it off the back foot to cover. |
| 65.2 : H Ali to Watling, FOUR! Overpitched and Watling is onto it immediately. Angling onto middle and leg, the Kiwi batsman flicks it to the right of short mid-wicket and times it beautifully. |
| 65.3 : H Ali to Watling, On a good length and on middle stump this time, Watling plays it back to the bowler. |
| 65.4 : H Ali to Watling, Good pace from Hasan Ali here! This one is fuller and on middle. Watling plays it to mid on with a straight bat. |
| 65.5 : H Ali to Watling, Well outside off on a length, Watling leaves it alone. |
| 65.6 : H Ali to Watling, Fuller and outside off, Watling drives it straight to the cover fielder. |
| Haris Sohail is into the attack now. |
| 66.1 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Full to start off with outside off stump, Nicholls comes ahead and dead bats it. |
| 66.2 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Appeal for LBW, but there was an inside edge on that one. This ball is outside off and turns in quite a bit after landing. Nicholls fails to cover the turn completely and is lucky to get the inside edge. |
| 66.3 : H Sohail to Nicholls, This is full and well outside off but Henry takes a large stride ahead and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a run. This also takes the lead to 100. |
| 66.4 : H Sohail to Watling, This one is short and on middle, Watling punches is straight back. |
| 66.5 : H Sohail to Watling, Full and slightly outside off, it is defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 66.6 : H Sohail to Watling, This one is flatter in trajectory, Watling keeps it out. |
| 67.1 : H Ali to Nicholls, Yorker. Full and on the off pole. Nicholls does well to jam it out. |
| 67.2 : H Ali to Nicholls, Full and on off, Nicholls blocks it out with a straight bat. |
| 67.3 : H Ali to Nicholls, Drags his length back a bit from the previous ball, outside off. Henry drives it to the off side. |
| 67.4 : H Ali to H Nicholls, FOUR! Hasan digs in a bouncer down leg. Nicholls well in control of it pulls it fine through fine leg. No protection there and a boundary results. |
| 67.5 : H Ali to Nicholls, Back of a length ball way down leg, Nicholls leaves it alone. A good take from Sarfraz. |
| 67.6 : H Ali to Nicholls, Outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 68.1 : H Sohail to Watling, Flatter ball over the stumps, Watling punches it to covers. |
| 68.2 : H Sohail to Watling, Full and down leg, Watling flicks it to the on side. |
| 68.3 : H Sohail to Watling, Outside off, cut in the gap through cover-point for an easy run. |
| 68.4 : H Sohail to Nicholls, HN has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.5 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Loopy ball on off, Henry leans forward and blocks it out. |
| 68.6 : H Sohail to H Nicholls, SHOT but just one. Short ball down the leg side. Henry pulls it with disdain. Imam at short leg gets a piece of it. It goes to deep square leg and the batsmen cross. |
| Yasir Shah is back on. |
| 69.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, The leg spinner around middle, Nicholls with the turn works it to square leg. |
| 69.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Another tossed up ball outside off, HN lunges and defends it. |
| 69.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Gives it a nice loop outside off, Nicholls reaches out for it and then blocks it out. |
| 69.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Plays the sweep but it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. |
| 69.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Plays the sweep again towards short fine leg. A run taken this time. |
| 69.6 : Y Shah to Watling, Floats it up on off, the batsman lunges and blocks it out. |
| 70.1 : H Sohail to H Nicholls, Very full outside off, Nicholls mistimes it through covers. Abbas gives it a chase and the batsmen run two. |
| 70.2 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Gives it air around off, Nicholls is solid in defense. |
| 70.3 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Bowls this one flatter and on off, the batsman rocks back and keeps it out. |
| 70.4 : H Sohail to Nicholls, On the shorter side, Nicholls goes down on one knee and pulls it through square leg for a couple. |
| 70.5 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 70.6 : H Sohail to Nicholls, Flighted ball on off, Nicholls lunges and keeps it out. |
| 71.1 : Y Shah to Watling, On middle, it is blocked. |
| 71.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Flighted on middle, Watling defends it off the front foot. |
| 71.3 : Y Shah to Watling, On the shorter side, it is punched to covers. |
| 71.4 : Y Shah to Watling, The flipper on off, the batsman punches it to covers. |
| 71.5 : Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. They pick up a single. |
| 71.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Gives this a nice loop, the ball pitches and bounces a touch extra. Nicholls tries to defend but the ball hits him high on the bat. Luckily though is goes onto the ground. |
| Bilal Asif is back on. |
| 72.1 : B Asif to Watling, Worked with the turn towards backward square leg for a run. |
| 72.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Flatter and on middle, Nicholls pushes it to covers. |
| 72.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, This is flatter and on middle, it is worked around the corner for a single. |
| 72.4 : B Asif to Watling, Flighted ball on middle, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 72.5 : B Asif to Watling, Down the leg side, left alone. |
| 72.6 : B Asif to Watling, On the stumps, it is defended. |
| Review time! A huge appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Pakistan have reviewed. Impact looks outside off, Nicholls is the man in question. |
| 73.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, NOT OUT! And Pakistan now have lost both their reviews. A massive inside edge there. This was tossed up outside off, it turns in a little. Nicholls lunges to defend but the ball hits his pads. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. After a chat Sarfraz signals the 'T'. They go upstairs and replays show that there is bat involved. |
| 73.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Just wide! A half-chance that! This was tossed up outside off, it comes back in. Nicholls defends inside the line, the ball goes off the inner half, uppishly towards short leg. Imam there dives full stretch to his right but can't reach to it. |
| 73.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Flighted ball on off, Nicholls blocks it out. |
| 73.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Drives it with the turn to mid on. |
| 73.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 73.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, On middle, it is defended. |
| 74.1 : B Asif to Watling, Arm ball comes into Watling. H rocks back and looks to cut it but gets a bottom edge towards short third man. One run taken. |
| 74.2 : B Asif to Nicholls, Loopy ball around off, Nicholls blocks it out. |
| 74.3 : B Asif to Nicholls, A bit shot outside off, punched off the back foot through covers. Another run taken. |
| 74.4 : B Asif to Watling, Off spinner on off, Watling bunts it down. |
| 74.5 : B Asif to Watling, Goes the other way/ Outside off, picked up by Watling and creams it to extra cover. They manage to come to come back for the third. |
| 74.6 : B Asif to Nicholls, Down leg, worked through square leg for one. |
| 75.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, On the shorter side, it is worked with the turn towards mid-wicket. |
| 75.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This is given air on middle, it is flicked to short mid-wicket. |
| 75.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This is given nice amount of air, the batsman strokes it towards mid on for a quick run. |
| 75.4 : Y Shah to Watling, Loopy ball on leg stump, the batsman plays it onto the ground. |
| 75.5 : Y Shah to Watling, BEATEN! This is flighted on off, it pitches on off and then turns square. The batter lunges to keep it out but is beaten by the spin. |
| 75.6 : Y Shah to Watling, Clever bowling! It is the slider after the last ball which turned. Watling though plays for the original trajectory and keeps it out. |
| Mohammad Hafeez is now on. |
| 76.1 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Immediately paid off! Leading edge and just goes above Hafeez's head. The ball was on length and turned away after landing. Nicholls closed the face of the bat too soon and gets the leading edge but his luck is good today and survives. The ball runs to the left of mid off and the batsmen come back for two. |
| 76.2 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Shorter in length this time, Nicholls defends off the back foot. |
| 76.3 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Fifty up for Nicholls! The ball is on the pads and is worked behind square on the leg side. They pick up a single and it brings up the 6th Test 50 for Nicholls. This is a really important innings in the context of the game. The key has been his patience. He walked in when his team was in a lot of trouble and has batted very sensibly to reach here. Must carry on though. |
| 76.4 : M Hafeez to Watling, Fuller and on off, kept out by Watling coming ahead. |
| 76.5 : M Hafeez to Watling, Similar ball slightly wider this time, Watling prods forward and defends it into the ground. |
| 76.6 : M Hafeez to Watling, Length ball on middle to which Watling comes down the wicket and plays it to mid on. No run taken though. |
| 77.1 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This is down the leg side, the batter works it to short fine leg. |
| 77.2 : Y Shah to Nicholls, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 77.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, This is tossed up outside off, Nicholls tries to drive but gets it off the inner half towards the bowler. |
| 77.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Quicker and on off, it is defended. |
| 77.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Goes back and then punches it through covers for a run. |
| 77.6 : Y Shah to Watling, This is on the stumps. Blocked. |
| 78.1 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Well looped up delivery on middle, Nicholls brings his bat in front of the pad and defends. |
| 78.2 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Flighted and the ball is almost on yorker length, Nicholls digs it out. |
| 78.3 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Well outside off on a length and turning away, left alone. |
| 78.4 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Shorter this time outside off, punched away straight to extra cover. Azhar Ali stumbles and falls down while fielding it. It doesn't cost a run though. |
| 78.5 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Flatter and quicker on middle, Nicholls prods ahead to dead bat this one. |
| 78.6 : M Hafeez to Nicholls, Bowled short and on off stump, Nicholls rocks back and attempts to cut it away. He just manages to get the under edge and the ball rolls down to the fielder at point. |
| 79.1 : Y Shah to Watling, This is tossed up on off, Watling strokes it to mid off. |
| 79.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Down the leg side, it is flicked towards deep square leg for a run. 200 up and the lead is now 126. |
| 79.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Floats it up on off, it is blocked. |
| 79.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Gives it a nice loop around off, it spins in. Nicholls tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards short leg. |
| 79.5 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Very full on middle, Nicholls jams it out to short leg. |
| 79.6 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Changes the angle for the last ball! He floats it up middle, it is blocked well. TEA ON DAY 3! |
| New Zealand's session and comprehensively so! There has not been a single wicket to fall in this session and even chances were far and few. Watling and Nicholls have blunted the threat of the spinners and have looked very comfortable out there in the middle. The unbeaten 92-run stand couldn't have come at a better time but there is so much time left in the Test and the pitch seems to have really eased out, so it is imperative for them to continue. Will they or will Pakistan break the stand with |
| ... Day 3, Session 3 ... |
| The players are back on the field for the final session of play. 33 overs to be bowled in the remainder of the day. BJ Watling to face the first ball after the break. Mohammad Abbas to start off the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 80.1 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length and a tad outside off, Watling shoulders his arms to it. |
| 80.2 : M Abbas to Watling, Slightly fuller and angling in on middle, tucked away behind square leg for a run by Watling. |
| 80.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Length ball outside off, Nicholls is half forward in defense. |
| The second new ball has been taken now. Will it provide Pakistan the breakthrough they are looking for? |
| Abbas pulls up! He comes running in from over the wicket but then sees the batsman standing in the wrong position so bails out. The umpire then asks the batsman to change ends and we are all set to go now. |
| 80.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Over the wicket now. Starts off on leg stick, Nicholls defends back to the bowler off the back foot. |
| 80.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Outside off on a length, Nicholls lets it go through. |
| 80.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Just short of a good length on top of off stump, Nicholls punches it off the back foot to mid on. |
| Hasan Ali to bowl from the other end. |
| 81.1 : H Ali to Watling, Good length on off stump, Watling comes ahead to defend it. |
| 81.2 : H Ali to Watling, No ball! Overstepping by Hasan Ali! Quite a big one at that. The ball was short and outside off, defended on the back foot. |
| H Ali to Watling, Good length well outside off, slightly shaping in, left alone. |
| 81.3 : H Ali to Watling, Fuller this time, Watling wants to drive it through the covers but gets the inside half of the bat and the ball runs down to mid on. |
| 81.4 : H Ali to Watling, Good length outside off, rock solid in defense again. |
| 81.5 : H Ali to Watling, This one is well outside off, the ball is left alone by Watling. |
| 81.6 : H Ali to Watling, Way outside off stump again, Watling wants nothing to do with it. |
| 82.1 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Good ball on a length outside off, Nicholls leaves it watchfully. |
| 82.2 : Abbas to Nicholls, Huge appeal from Pakistan! Was it the outside edge or the thigh pad? The ball was a really good one and Nicholls was completely squared up by this one. Good length just outside off and the batsman was ahead to defend it but the ball just shapes away very slightly. There is a noise as the ball passes the bat. Ultra Edge shows that the noise was of the bat hitting the pad as it comes down. |
| 82.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, This one is on middle and worked down to square leg but no run. |
| 82.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Down the leg side and short, Nicholls wants to flick it away but the ball was too far away and thus, lets it go. |
| 82.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Short of a good length and just outside off, Nicholls defends it from within the crease. |
| 82.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Pitched slightly ahead on this occasion, Nicholls comes ahead and defends. |
| 83.1 : H Ali to Watling, Wide! Too high. Bouncer and aimed at the helmet, Watling ducks and lets it go. The leg umpire signals it as Wide. |
| H Ali to Watling, This one is short and outside off, Watling defends it off the back foot. |
| 83.2 : H Ali to Watling, Short again but on top of off stump, Watling remains on his back foot to defend. |
| 83.3 : H Ali to Watling, Another bouncer but the ball didn't rise as much as the previous one. BJ ducks under it. |
| 83.4 : H Ali to Watling, Outside off and on a good length, Watling lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 83.5 : H Ali to Watling, This one moves away after landing, Watling doesn't go chasing after it though. |
| 83.6 : H Ali to Watling, Good length ball on middle, slightly moving away after landing. Watling adjusts well to the swing and plays it down towards point. |
| 84.1 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Good length ball just outside off, Nicholls defends it coming half ahead. |
| 84.2 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Close! This one is full and on middle, Nicholls looks to play it toward mid on but gets the leading edge that runs along the ground to backward point. |
| 84.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Length ball on top of off, Nicholls defends it straight back to the bowler. |
| 84.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Around the wicket, good length and just outside off. Nicholls defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 84.5 : M Abbas to Nicholls, A tad wider this time, Nicholls leaves it alone as it moves away after landing. |
| 84.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Similar length and holds its line after pitching, Nicholls is well ahead and punches it to mid off. |
| 85.1 : H Ali to Watling, Good length outside off, Watling tries to guide it between third slip and gully. They run through for a quick one and Babar Azam has a shy at the striker's end. Hasan Ali backs up the wayward throw in time and prevents overthrows. |
| 85.2 : H Ali to Nicholls, Full and at the pads, Nicholls has flicked the ball off his pads towards fine leg. One run added to the total. |
| 85.3 : H Ali to Watling, Good length and on the pads, Watling flicks it towards mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 85.4 : H Ali to Watling, FOUR! Beautiful timing on this occasion towards the mid-wicket fence. It brings up BJ Watling's 15th fifty in Tests. It has been a wonderful innings with a lot of application. The Kiwi wicket-keeper has a knack of playing these grinding innings in pressure situations and here he is again with one more. Coming to the delivery, it was full and on the pads. Easy pickings for someone who's been at the crease for this long. Flicks it away. This also brings up the 100-run stand |
| 85.5 : H Ali to Watling, Short and on off stump, Watling stands tall and defends it. |
| 85.6 : H Ali to Watling, This is on good length, Watling comes half forward and defends it easily. |
| 86.1 : M Abbas to Nicholls, On a good length down leg, Nicholls tucks it away. |
| 86.2 : M Abbas to Nicholls, On the money is Abbas. Henry is happy to defend it. |
| 86.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Good length ball away from the off pole. Henry leaves it alone. No swing here and the new ball hasn't done much. |
| 86.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Down leg, Nicholls hops a tad and tucks it to the on side. |
| 86.5 : M Abbas to H Nicholls, Bowls this full on that fourth stump channel in search of swing. Nicholls drives it to covers. |
| 86.6 : M Abbas to H Nicholls, Length ball outside off, cut away to point. Maiden over. |
| Yasir Shah is into the attack now. |
| 87.1 : Y Shah to Watling, On the pads to start off with, Watling works it towards square leg for a couple. |
| 87.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Short and flat outside off, cut away behind point for three runs. |
| 87.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Around the wicket to the leftie, pitches it wide outside off. Nicholls comes ahead and defends. |
| 87.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Shortens the length and turns it into the pads, Nicholls plays it toward deep square leg for a run. |
| 87.5 : Y Shah to Watling, On leg stump again, Watling guides it to short mid-wicket. |
| 87.6 : Y Shah to Watling, Full and on the pads again, poor bowling. Watling flicks it straight to short mid-wicket though. |
| 88.1 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Good length and on off stump, Nicholls defends with ease. |
| 88.2 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Sprayed down the off side, Nicholls just leaves it alone. |
| 88.3 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Outside off on a length again, HN plays it into the ground. |
| 88.4 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Similar delivery and similarly defended again. |
| 88.5 : M Abbas to H Nicholls, A tad fuller this time, Nicholls drives to mid off who dives and stops the ball. |
| 88.6 : M Abbas to Nicholls, Dug in short. Nicholls is ready for it and pulls it away to deep square leg for 2 runs. |
| 89.1 : Y Shah to Watling, Shorter and on off stump, Watling goes on the back foot and plays it to mid on. |
| 89.2 : Y Shah to Watling, Drifting onto the pads with a flatter one, Watling tucks it around the corner on the leg side for a single. |
| 89.3 : Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off, Nicholls smothers it by coming well ahead. |
| Big moment in the game! Nicholls has been given out caught behind. He though has reviewed. |
| 89.4 : Y Shah to Nicholls, OUT! Yasir strikes! A huge breakthrough for Pakistan! Nicholls has been sweeping well all innings but this one is a tad too full outside off to play the shot. It takes the under edge and Sarfraz takes a wonderful catch. He goes up in appeal immediately and the umpire raises his finger. Nicholls was well set and the wicket should pump up the Pakistan team whose shoulders were starting to drop. It has been a great innings though in a partnership of 112, and has brought th |
| Colin de Grandhomme is the new man in. |
| 89.5 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, Flatter ball on off, Grandhomme shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot. |
| 89.6 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, Wider outside off on a short length, Grandhomme punches it to cover off the back foot. |
| 90.1 : M Abbas to Watling, This is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for a run. |
| 90.2 : M Abbas to Grandhomme, A little away movement there after it pitches on middle, de Grandhomme tries to put bat on ball but gets a leading edge towards mid off. The fielder there has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 90.3 : M Abbas to Watling, Good length outside off, Watling makes a leave. |
| 90.4 : M Abbas to Watling, On the off pole, the batsman is solid in defense. |
| 90.5 : M Abbas to Watling, Back of a length around off, Watling gets right behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 90.6 : M Abbas to Watling, In the corridor of uncertainty, it is blocked. |
| 91.1 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, That was a close shave! The ball is flat and outside off, Grandhomme looks to drive it on the back foot, but gets the inside edge that misses the leg stump by a whisker and runs down to fine leg for a run. The lead is now 150! |
| 91.2 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, Another inside edge! This time it was full and on middle, Watling comes ahead to defend and there is too little turn on this one. The ball gets the inside edge and rolls to the left of short leg. |
| Colin de Grandhomme now needs to be more watchful. Has to stick around with his partner and see out as much as the day possible. |
| It was at this period of time yesterday that the light started to get a bit dim. Let's hope we get a full day of proper cricket. |
| 91.3 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, On the middle pole, it is flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 91.4 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, Goes for the sweep shot but misses. |
| 91.5 : Y Shah to Grandhomme, OUT! Grandhomme has reviewed here, he has been given LBW and Hawk Eye returns three reds. A waste of a review by Grandhomme. That was absolutely plumb. He bags another failure and New Zealand have now lost two in quick succession. This one is pitched on middle and turns to hold its line. Grandhomme is on the back foot and wants to flick it away to the leg side but misses and the ball, it hits him bang in front of middle on the back pad. The players appeal and the umpi |
| 91.6 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Things are really happening now ! This one lands on middle and rips away at the last moment to beat the outside edge of Sodhi who is front in defense. |
| Haris Sohail back on now. |
| 92.1 : H Sohail to Watling, Fuller and on middle, Watling goes down and sweeps it fine on the leg side for a single. |
| 92.2 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Sprayed way down the leg side. Sarfraz does well to bring his pads together and stop any byes. |
| 92.3 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Down the leg side again, Sodhi plays it fine on the leg side. The ball is stopped just inside the boundary and the batsmen pick up two. |
| 92.4 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Full and on off now, Sodhi comes ahead and defends it. |
| 92.5 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Full face of the bat as Sodhi defends it back to the bowler. |
| 92.6 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Shorter and on off stump, Sodhi remains in his crease as he defends it. |
| 93.1 : Y Shah to Watling, Loopy ball around off, Watling taps it to the on side. |
| 93.2 : Shah to Watling, OUT! Another one bites the dust. All it needed was a wicket a wicket and now Pakistan are electric. 1, 2 and now 3 wickets for Yasir in three overs. This was dragged down a bit. Watling rocks back to pull it but gets beaten for turn and bounce. The ball goes on to his his leg. The players put in an appeal and the umpire raises his finger. The last recognized batsman is out and New Zealand now find themselves in a spot of bother. They lead by 153 runs. |
| Drinks Break! Meanwhile Neil Wagner joins Sodhi out in the middle. |
| 93.3 : Y Shah to Wagner, Full and outside off, Wagner is half ahead in defense. |
| 93.4 : Y Shah to Wagner, This one is on middle and leg and straightens a bit after landing. Wagner keeps it out. |
| 93.5 : Y Shah to Wagner, This ball is on middle and holds its line and bounces a bit more as Wagner defends off the back foot. |
| 93.6 : Shah to N Wagner, OUT! Bowled 'em! What a peach! They're falling like nine pins now! Beautiful ball outside off and turns in a long way before hitting the off pole. Wagner was well ahead and there was a gaping hole between bat and pad as the ball goes through after spinning a crazy amount. That's a fifer for Yasir, his 14th in Test cricket! |
| Ajaz Patel is the new man in. |
| 94.1 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Full and down leg, played with a straight bat back to the bowler. |
| 94.2 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Tossed up ball around off, once again hit back to the bowler. |
| 94.3 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Short and over the stumps, can't get it past the point region. |
| 94.4 : H Sohail to Sodhi, Gives this air on the pads of Sodhi. He turns it away getting an inside edge to the on side. They cross. |
| 94.5 : H Sohail to Patel, Arm ball on off, tucked around the corner. Dot ball. |
| 94.6 : H Sohail to Patel, Floated ball outside off, driven to covers. 228/8. |
| 95.1 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Flatter and outside off, Sodhi tries to cut but misses the ball. |
| 95.2 : Y Shah to Sodhi, SIX! Overpitched and on middle, Sodhi gets under it and lofts it over deep mid-wicket for a huge one. Every run is important here. Beautiful connection on this one though. |
| 95.3 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Some finesse after the slog. Sodhi gets outside the line of the ball and paddles it fine on the leg side for a couple. |
| 95.4 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Shorter and outside off, it is played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 95.5 : Shah to Sodhi, This is really full, almost yorker length. Sodhi just manages to keep it out. |
| 95.6 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Flatter on middle, punched back to the bowler. |
| 96.1 : H Sohail to Patel, Full and outside off, Ajaz has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 96.2 : H Sohail to Patel, This one is a carbon copy of the previous ball, and Ajaz does well to defend it off the middle of the bat. |
| 96.3 : H Sohail to Patel, Falls just wide of short leg! This one is again full and outside off, turns in a long way to take the inside edge and the ball drops away from short leg luckily for Ajaz. |
| 96.4 : H Sohail to Patel, Shorter and quicker on middle, the batsman has defended it by covering the spin on this one. |
| 96.5 : H Sohail to Patel, Drawn ahead by the flight on this one, but Patel manages to defend it with full face of the bat being shown. |
| 96.6 : H Sohail to Patel, This one bounces a bit more than normal and misses the bat as Ajaz looks to defend. It hits the pad high on the knee roll so there was not much of an appeal. |
| 97.1 : Y Shah to Sodhi, This is timed through covers for a run. |
| 97.2 : Y Shah to Patel, The googly on middle, Patel keeps it out. |
| 97.3 : Y Shah to Patel, A big swing to a tossed up ball outside off, Patel swings goes for the slog sweep but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 97.4 : Y Shah to Sodhi, FOUR! Up and over! These are handy runs for New Zealand. Sodhi brings out the slog sweep again, hits it over the mid-wicket region and into the fence. |
| 97.5 : Y Shah to Sodhi, BEATEN! This is nicely tossed up around off, drawing the batsman onto the front foot. Sodhi leans and tries to drive but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 97.6 : Y Shah to Sodhi, On the shorter side and outside off, Sodhi looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point. |
| Hasan Ali is back on. |
| 98.1 : H Ali to Patel, Around the wicket and beats the outside edge! On a good length and shaping away after landing, Ajaz wants to defend but misses it. |
| 98.2 : H Ali to Patel, Shorter in length this time, Ajaz is fishing for it outside off and is lucky not to get an edge. |
| 98.3 : H Ali to Patel, Same ball again but this time Ajaz connects it and gets it in the gap and runs it down to third man for three runs. All valuable runs. |
| 98.4 : H Ali to Sodhi, Fuller and drifting onto the pads, Sodhi tucks it behind square leg for a single. |
| 98.5 : H Ali to Patel, Good ball on top of the off pole, Ajaz defends it but gets the inside edge onto the pad and the ball rolls onto the ground on the leg side. |
| 98.6 : H Ali to Patel, Beaten comprehensively outside off! The ball was full and moves away after landing. Ajaz plays completely down the wrong line to this. |
| 99.1 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Fuller and outside off, Sodhi drives to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 99.2 : Y Shah to Patel, Around the wicket to the leftie, Ajaz goes for the huge one. The ball goes in the air and the gap as well. Deep square leg comes around to stop the ball as the batsmen run only one. |
| 99.3 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Wide outside off, Sodhi plays the square drive towards point. |
| 99.4 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Darted in on off stump, Sodhi tries to defend but gets a thick edge that runs to point. |
| 99.5 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Almost bowled, Sodhi goes for the defense but the ball turns sharply and beats the bat as well as the off stump. Great bowling by Yasir! |
| 99.6 : Y Shah to Sodhi, Outside off and beaten again, the batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 100.1 : H Ali to Patel, Works it with the angle towards mid on for a run. |
| 100.2 : H Ali to Sodhi, OUT! Knocked over! No. 9 is down now. A length delivery around off, it comes back sharply. Sodhi maybe expecting a short is one is rooted to the crease. He tries to keep it out but misses and the ball clips the bails. 4-fer for Hasan Ali. He has 4 balls to take a 5-fer. |
| Trent Boult is the last man in. |
| 100.3 : H Ali to Boult, Almost gets it! Hasan Ali bowls it on a length around off, it pitches and comes back in. Boult tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 100.4 : H Ali to Boult, Yes! He can! Five-fer for Hasan Ali! His first ever in Test cricket. Pakistan have wrapped up things in style. Hasan bangs it short on off, Boult looks to pulls this but is very late in doing so. He then checks his shot and the ball takes a top edge and balloons towards short covers. Hafeez won't take a simpler catch ever. Five wickets for Yasir and Hasan. Who gets the ball? New Zealand all out for 249 and set Pakistan a target of 176. |
| What a session this has been till now for Pakistan, they have ran through the lower-order in no time and now the advantage is with them as they only have to chase down 176. Nicholls and Watling were cruising, the two added a 112-run stand with both crossing their half centuries. They were batting with no problem whatsoever but then Yasir Shah came to life. He got Nicholls first and that brough about the downfall. |
| From 220 for 4, New Zealand have been bowled out for 249. They had no answers to Yasir Shah and he finished with a fifer. Hasan Ali started things off for Pakistan and he was the one who ended it. He too bagged a fifer to his name. The two shared 10-wickets amongst them. |
| New Zealand went into their second innings with a trail 74, they got off to the worst starts possible as they lost Latham early. Kane and Raval did try and steady the ship but a few quick wickets saw the visitors reeling at 108 for 4. But a magnificent partnership beweetn Nicholls and Watling brought the tourists back into the game. Pakistan though came out all guns blazing after the Tea break and now are favorites to win this game. |
| The target is not a big one and with the wicket still a good one to bat on, Pakistan are expected to chase this down. Will they do so or will New Zealand have some fight left in them. We surely won't know that today but we surely will get some idea about which way the game is heading. 10 exciting overs left in the Day. Join us in a while to catch the action. |
| 0.1 : T Boult to Imam, FOUR! Cracking start to the Pakistan innings! That has been crunched! Slightly short and outside off, Imam rocks back and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 0.2 : T Boult to Imam, Good comeback! This is fuller and on the stumps, stays a touch low. Imam pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 0.3 : T Boult to Imam, FOUR! Take that, says Imam! This is delightful! Full and around off, Imam leans into it, gets right on top of the delivery and strokes it through covers for a boundary. Pakistan off to a flier here. |
| 0.4 : T Boult to Imam, Back of a length on off, Imam pushes it to covers. |
| 0.5 : T Boult to Imam, Runs again! This is on the pads, Imam flicks it through square leg. They run three. Imam is in the mood to finish it today. |
| 0.6 : T Boult to Hafeez, Back of a length on middle, it is kept out. 11 from the first over, an expensive start by Boult. |
| Colin de Grandhomme to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Full on middle, no swing on offer. It is driven back to the bowler. |
| 1.2 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Good length and outside off, the batsman makes a leave. |
| 1.3 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Back of a length on middle, Imam defends it onto the ground. |
| 1.4 : de Grandhomme to Imam, FOUR! Imam looks in great touch out there. Slightly short and outside off, Imam rocks back and slaps it through cover-point. It races away. He is dealing in boundaries at the moment. |
| 1.5 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Once again it is nicely punched but does not find the gap, it goes to the cover-point fielder. |
| 1.6 : de Grandhomme to Imam, On a length and around off, it is blocked. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to Hafeez, Fuller in length and outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 2.2 : T Boult to Hafeez, Good length around off, the batsman guides it towards point. |
| 2.3 : T Boult to Hafeez, Pure timing! Not for a boundary but a couple. Hafeez uses the pace of the bowler and then guides it through backward point. They run two. |
| 2.4 : T Boult to Hafeez, Shortish and on middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 2.5 : T Boult to Hafeez, Angles this into the batter, Hafeez gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 2.6 : T Boult to Hafeez, This is on off, Hafeez is solid in defense. |
| 3.1 : de Grandhomme to Imam, FOUR! Edge and away. New Zealand are leaking boundaries. Fuller ball on middle and off. Imam plays across the wrong line. Gets an edge which rolls between the cordon and away to the third man fence. |
| 3.2 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Length ball outside off, Imam leaves it alone. |
| 3.3 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Outside off again, cut past cover-point for a run. |
| 3.4 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Good leave. Very good leave. On a good length on that fourth stump line. Comes back in a bit. Hafeez it all the way through to the keeper. |
| 3.5 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Full and around leg, driven back towards the bowler. |
| 3.6 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Around off, Hafeez leans forward and punches it to covers. |
| 4.1 : T Boult to Imam, Short of a good length and on the pads this time, Imam flicks it away to square leg and comes back for the second. Really good running that! |
| 4.2 : T Boult to Imam, Outside off on a length, Imam stands tall and defends it to cover point. |
| 4.3 : T Boult to Imam, Short of a good length outside off, Imam defends it into the gap on the off side towards cover point again. The batsmen run one. |
| 4.4 : T Boult to Hafeez, Wide outside off, Hafeez doesn't need to play at those. |
| 4.5 : T Boult to Hafeez, Short of a length and above off stump, Hafeez looks to guide it towards the third man boundary but Grandhomme at gully makes a diving stop. |
| 4.6 : T Boult to Hafeez, On middle this time, Hafeez stays inside his crease and defends it. |
| 5.1 : de Grandhomme to Imam, Good length and at a gentle pace but drifting onto the pads, Imam flicks it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 5.2 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Good length on the off stump, Hafeez is solid in defense. |
| 5.3 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Slightly fuller and on off, Hafeez is half forward and plays it to cover. |
| 5.4 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, Short outside off, Hafeez defends it toward point. |
| 5.5 : de Grandhomme to M Hafeez, FOUR! Hafeez puts his weight on the front foot and drives it beautifully through the covers for another four! The runs are flowing here. This ball was overpitched and outside off and too easy for the master technician. |
| 5.6 : de Grandhomme to Hafeez, The ball was on a length and outside off, Hafeez guides it in the gap to the left of point for a single. |
| Ajaz Patel is into the attack. |
| 6.1 : A Patel to Hafeez, Looped up outside off, Hafeez plays it with soft hands to point. |
| 6.2 : A Patel to Hafeez, This ball is on length, Hafeez goes back and keeps it out well in the end. |
| 6.3 : A Patel to Hafeez, Fuller and on off stump, driven towards mid off. |
| 6.4 : A Patel to Hafeez, Full and on middle this time, Hafeez defends it straight back to the bowler. |
| 6.5 : A Patel to Hafeez, Full and flighted on off, Hafeez plays it back patiently. |
| 6.6 : A Patel to Hafeez, Looped up on off, Hafeez defends it coming ahead. Maiden over to start off with for Ajaz. |
| Spin from both ends. Ish Sodhi to roll his arm. |
| 7.1 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, FOUR BYES! Around the wicket, landing outside off, grips and turns. Beats the keeper and runs down to the fine leg fence for four byes. |
| 7.2 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Fuller and outside off, Imam takes a big stride and defends it. |
| 7.3 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Good ball this! Starts outside off, bounces a lot after landing and hits Imam on the thigh pad and lobs up. Short leg takes it and there is a small appeal but Ian Gould signals to the thigh suggesting it came off the thigh pad. |
| 7.4 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Full and overpitched outside off, driven by Imam. A diving Kane at cover stops any runs. |
| 7.5 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Flatter and on the pads, Imam flicks to square leg for a single. |
| 7.6 : Ish Sodhi to Hafeez, Shorter delivery on off stump, Hafeez covers the spin on the delivery and defends it with a straight bat. |
| The umpires have offered the batsmen the light and they have taken it. The players are walking off the field and THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| Pakistan's session and it is Pakistan's day. First they got the last 6 wickets for 29 runs and then, their openers not only ensured they end Day 3 unscathed but have also deducted 37 runs from the target. |
| The day began with New Zealand trailing by 18 runs and they were already a wicket down. However, Kane Williamson and Jeet Raval added 86 and took the Kiwis into the lead. Pakistan then fought back as they managed to pick a few wickets quickly but a massive 112-run stand between Nicholls and Watling saw the visitors go on top. The two scored half tons and the Black Caps then, seemed like would stretch their lead to around 250. |
| The third session though changed the whole complexion of this game. Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali came to the fore, especially the former. He ran through the middle and lower order and finished with a fifer. Hasan Ali too picked up 5 and the two ensured the lead did not get past 200. |
| Another 139 is what is needed and the 'hosts' have 10 wickets in hand. They are outright favorites to take a 1-0 lead. But Pakistan being Pakistan you just never know what to expect of them. Day 4 will most probably be the last day of the Test match and one would expect New Zealand to give it their all. Will there be a surprise in store or will Pakistan continue their dominance? Join us to find out at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye. |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| Welcome everyone to Day 4 and what could and should most possibly be the last day of this opening Test. Pakistan are firmly in the driver's seat and the visitors will have to hope for an insane spell from their bowlers to make the hosts sweat as they look to wipe off the remaining 139 runs required. The pitch has eased out and if last evening is anything to go by, the Pakistan openers look more than comfortable out there in the middle. All things said, the odds are stacked firmly in favour of Pa |
| WEATHER REPORT -: It is slightly cloudy out there but there is no forecast of rain. Hopefully we get through the remainder of the game unscathed. |
| Danny Morrison has a chat with Neil Wagner. On his achieved milestone of 150 Test wickets, Wagner says that it is something which he doesn't like to think about, focussing mainly on bowling well. On not being given the new ball, Neil says that the team has missed Tim Southee in this Test, going by the horses-for-courses strategy, going in with three spinners. Defends Colin de Grandhomme, stating that he has done well in domestic cricket with the new ball. On himself, he says that he is better wi |
| The Kiwis are out in a huddle. The players are out in the middle as well. Ajaz Patel to start off proceedings for the day. Hafeez to face. Here we go... |
| 8.1 : A Patel to Hafeez, That is a jaffa! Full and outside off, Hafeez comes forward to defend but the ball holds its line and beats the outside edge. |
| 8.2 : A Patel to Hafeez, And again! Similar ball, same shot, gets beaten again! |
| 8.3 : A Patel to Hafeez, Comes down the track this time and blasts it straight back. Well stopped by the bowler. |
| 8.4 : A Patel to Hafeez, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 8.5 : A Patel to Hafeez, This one spins away, bowled slower through the air, MH looks to defend but gets beaten again. |
| 8.6 : A Patel to Hafeez, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| Ish Sodhi to bowl from the other end. |
| 9.1 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Down the leg side, Imam looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads to short leg. |
| 9.2 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, On middle and leg, this time the flick shot is connected, past short leg, for a single. |
| 9.3 : Ish Sodhi to M Hafeez, Dropped short, stays low, Hafeez adjusts well and pulls it over mid-wicket for a run. |
| 9.4 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 9.5 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Oohhh.... beaten. Full and outside off, Imam comes down the track, looks to flick, is gone for all money as Watling gets ready to stump. But, the bat comes in the way at the last moment as an inside edge is induced and it hits him on the pads. |
| 9.6 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, On middle and leg, flicked straight to square leg. |
| 10.1 : A Patel to Hafeez, Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 10.2 : A Patel to Hafeez, Full and around off, watchfully pushed back. |
| 10.3 : A Patel to Hafeez, Fuller and around off, well blocked out. |
| 10.4 : A Patel to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 10.5 : A Patel to Hafeez, Pitched outside leg, Hafeez looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A mild LBW appeal ensues but nothing in it. |
| 10.6 : A Patel to Hafeez, Comes forward and watchfully keeps it out. |
| 11.1 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 11.2 : Ish Sodhi to Imam, A touch short, outside off, spinning in, worked past short leg, towards deep mid-wicket, for a single. The stand is now worth 40. |
| 11.3 : Ish Sodhi to Hafeez, Full and outside off, the attempted googly, left alone. |
| 11.4 : Ish Sodhi to Hafeez, Very full outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 11.5 : Ish Sodhi to Hafeez, Full and around off, pushed towards point. |
| 11.6 : Ish Sodhi to Hafeez, Full and around off, well defended. |
| 12.1 : A Patel to Imam, Flighted outside off, Imam comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 12.2 : A Patel to Imam, Landed outside off again, a touch quicker, the left-hander gets back and across and defends. |
| 12.3 : A Patel to Imam, OUT! LBW! First wicket for New Zealand! Imam departs. Beautiful bowling, excellent length. Ajaz keeps persisting on that tight line and is rewarded. Imam was getting frustrated, being unable to work him away and on this particular ball, he was not sure whether to come forward or go back. It is a decision which needs to be taken in a split second and the southpaw is a second late. Costs him. He tries to play that off the pitch, going back and looking to work it to the leg s |
| Azhar Ali comes in at number 3, replacing Imam. |
| 12.4 : A Patel to Ali, Full and around off, Azhar brings out the sweep and gets it to fine leg for a couple. FIRST RUNS OFF AJAZ PATEL in this innings. |
| 12.5 : A Patel to Ali, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 12.6 : A Patel to Hafeez, Ooohhh.... played back from the crease, misreads the line and just about manages to get his bat down in time, to sneak a run through point. |
| 13.1 : Ish Sodhi to Hafeez, OUT! Chipped straight to cover. Oh wow. One brings two and New Zealand have two new batsmen in the middle. Full and outside off, Hafeez comes down the track and looks to hit it through the off side, but cannot keep it down. He ends up hitting it straight to short extra cover where Colin de Grandhomme makes no mistake. Two wickets in the space of 5 balls for 4 runs! |
| 0.0 : Haris Sohail comes in at number 4, replacing Hafeez. |
| 13.2 : Ish Sodhi to Sohail, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 13.3 : Ish Sodhi to Sohail, FOUR! Positive cricket. No point in just blocking. Sohail comes down the track gets to the pitch of the ball and whacks it over mid on for a boundary. |
| 13.4 : Sodhi to Sohail, OUT! Caught and bowled off a full toss! Well, well, well! Are we onto something here? Another soft dismissal. We saw Hafeez chipping one to cover and now Sohail has done something similar. Only the region is different. It is a ball which takes the pitch out of the equation because it does not land at all. Sohail comes down the track but hits it straight back and that too uppishly! Nice catch taken Ish Sodhi, low to his left,. Bang, bang, bang! 3/8 in the span of 8 balls fo |
| Asad Shafiq walks in at number 5, replacing Sohail. |
| 13.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Outside off, left alone. |
| 13.6 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Pushes this through mid on for a run. |
| 14.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 14.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a single. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN. Suddenly, 176 looks like a mountain to climb. |
| 14.3 : A Patel to Ali, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 14.4 : A Patel to Ali, Fuller and with a bit of extra flight, Azhar defends. |
| 14.5 : A Patel to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.6 : A Patel to Ali, Full and around off, well blocked out. |
| 15.1 : Ish Sodhi to A Shafiq, Full and outside off, driven sweetly but straight to extra cover. |
| 15.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Very full, outside off, Shafiq comes forward but nearly yorks himself. The ball goes back to the bowler. |
| 15.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 15.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 15.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 15.6 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 16.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Down the leg side, tucked through square leg for a couple. |
| 16.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. That nearly went through the gap between bat and pad. Shafiq just about managed to get his bat down in time. |
| 16.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Better from Asad. Gets to the pitch of the ball and blocks. |
| 16.4 : A Patel to A Shafiq, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 16.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full again, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 16.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Down the leg side, Shafiq is drawn forward to flick but misses. |
| 17.1 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Tossed up outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 17.2 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, Too full outside off, Azhar gets underneath it and drives it through the covers for a single. |
| 17.3 : Ish Sodhi to A Shafiq, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 17.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Outside off, pushed towards point for a single. |
| 17.5 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Landed outside off, a bit too wide, left alone. |
| 17.6 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, Full and outside off, eased past cover for a brace. |
| 18.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Landed outside off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler. |
| 18.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Short and outside off, punched through cover-point for a couple. |
| 18.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Plays this extremely late, off the pitch, waiting for the ball to turn and almost guides it to the men waiting there. Manages to nudge it past first slip for a single. |
| 18.4 : A Patel to Ali, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 18.5 : A Patel to Ali, Goes back and works it through square leg for a single. |
| 18.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and outside off, watchfully kept out. |
| 19.1 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, Full and outside off, use of the feet from Azhar as he gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through the covers for a single. |
| 19.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 19.3 : Ish Sodhi to A Shafiq, A bit more flight, gets it as a full toss, Shafiq pushes it towards mid on for a quick single. |
| 19.4 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Eases this through the covers for a run. |
| 19.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Another single, punched through the covers. Good batting by this pair. They are concentrating on the singles and not just blocking and defending. |
| 19.6 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, A high full toss outside off, Azhar cannot do anything about it, driving the ball straight to short extra cover. |
| 20.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and around middle, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 20.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Short and outside off, spinning away, punched straight to cover. |
| 20.3 : A Patel to A Shafiq, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 20.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, FOUR! Not quite of the middle of the bat but it will do. Full and around middle Shafiq comes down the track and looks to go over the top, but the ball spins in a touch, goes off the inner half, but still eludes mid on. |
| Is that a stumping? Watling is confident that he has his man. Referred upstairs... |
| 20.5 : Patel to Shafiq, NOT OUT. The foot barely moved. Full and outside off, Shafiq came forward to defend but the ball spun away a touch, went past the outside edge and Watling whipped off the bails. The keeper was extremely confident and it was referred upstairs but nothing in the replays. |
| 20.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and straight, risky sweep shot employed but the bat meets the ball, getting it to square leg. |
| 21.1 : Ish Sodhi to A Ali, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 21.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 21.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Landed outside off, dabbed straight to backward point. |
| 21.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Much fuller, outside off, spinning away, Shafiq shoulders arms. |
| 21.5 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Another full toss, played with soft hands through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 21.6 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Fuller length this time, watchfully defended. |
| 22.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and outside off, Shafiq taps it to the off side, wants a single but is sent back. |
| 22.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Landed outside off, another push but straight to cover. |
| 22.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Quicker one, outside off, probably the arm ball, once again Asad wants to drop and run to the off side but Azhar calmly sends him back. |
| 22.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and straight, this time AS comes forward and blocks patiently. |
| 22.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. |
| 22.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 23.1 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 23.2 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Very full outside off, pretty wide. left alone. |
| 23.3 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, There comes the googly, skids on after pitching, Azhar does not pick it at all, playing it from the crease, reading it off the pitch and just about dabbing it towards short leg. |
| 23.4 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Full and outside off, this time Ali reads the hand, comes forward and pushes it back. |
| 23.5 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, FOUR! Bad ball and punished. A full toss, on middle, Azhar gets down, reaches out and sweeps it behind square leg for a boundary. The runs required come into double figures now. |
| 23.6 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Around off, AA stays back and just about blocks it out. |
| 24.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, FOUR! Second boundary in the space of 3 balls. Short and around off, spinning away, Shafiq rocks back and cut it through point to exploit the massive real estate over there. Punches Azhar's gloves with a smile. This partnership is now worth 33 with Shafiq making 22 of those. |
| 24.2 : A Patel to A Shafiq, Full and outside off, Asad pushes at it with soft hands and gets an outside edge which dies down in front of slip. |
| 24.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 24.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, Around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 24.5 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full again, Asad reaches out and drives it back to the bowler. |
| 24.6 : A Patel to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| DRINKS BREAK. What an opening hour. Just what a cricket fan would have loved. Three quick wickets, then a partnership following it. It seems like Azhar and Shafiq have eased out proceedings but these are two teams playing in a country where anything is possible any time. You can never rule out a collapse, nor can you avoid a fightback. Hold on to your seats. 95 runs needed, 7 wickets in hand... |
| Trent Boult has been summoned. First over of pace today. |
| 25.1 : T Boult to Ali, Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a couple. |
| 25.2 : T Boult to Ali, Full and outside off, swinging away, left alone. |
| 25.3 : T Boult to Ali, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 25.4 : T Boult to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 25.5 : T Boult to Shafiq, The batsman has played it to the point region. They pick up a single. |
| 25.6 : T Boult to Ali, On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a run. |
| 26.1 : A Patel to Ali, Landed outside off, pushed through point for a single. |
| 26.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 26.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, 4000 TEST RUNS FOR ASAD SHAFIQ! Well played. Important player for Pakistan. Keeps his cool in tough circumstances. Full and around middle, Asad comes down the track and flicks it off the inner half through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.4 : A Patel to Ali, Outside off, a touch too wide, left alone. |
| 26.5 : A Patel to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 26.6 : A Patel to Ali, Goes right back in his crease and defends. |
| 27.1 : T Boult to Shafiq, On a length outside off, well defended. |
| 27.2 : T Boult to Shafiq, Landed outside off, steered behind point for a couple. |
| 27.3 : T Boult to Shafiq, A bouncer on middle, Shafiq ducks. |
| 27.4 : T Boult to Shafiq, Landed outside off, not played at. |
| 27.5 : T Boult to Shafiq, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 27.6 : T Boult to Shafiq, A bouncer to end the over, Shaifiq ducks. |
| 28.1 : A Patel to Ali, Landed outside of spinning away, punched through point for a single. |
| 28.2 : A Patel to Shafiq, FOUR! The partnership continues to grow in confidence. Full on middle, Shafiq comes down the track and whips it over square leg. Acres of free space available in that region. Shafiq has moved to 30 now. His third boundary. |
| 28.3 : A Patel to Shafiq, Comes over the wicket, lands it around middle, watchfully kept out. |
| 28.4 : A Patel to Shafiq, Clips this through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 28.5 : A Patel to Ali, That stays low. It is around leg but Azhar manages to keep it out with a back foot defense. That nearly trickled back onto the stumps off the inside edge. |
| 28.6 : A Patel to Ali, Pitched outside leg, Ali pads it away. |
| 29.1 : T Boult to Shafiq, Good awareness, good batting. Shafiq notices that the fielders on the off side were not quite charging to the ball. Taps this ball with soft hands, just wide of cover and calls his partner through for a quick single. We are getting to that stage where the Black Caps need wickets and that too, in a bunch. 79 more needed now. |
| 29.2 : T Boult to Ali, Azhar tries to tap and run towards mid on but realizes that he hit it too well. Sends his partner back. |
| 29.3 : T Boult to A Ali, A delightful cover drive, finding the gap, keeping the scoreboard ticking and reducing the runs required by 2 more. 50-RUN STAND IS UP BETWEEN THESE TWO. Taken the sting out of the New Zealand attack. |
| 29.4 : T Boult to Ali, Full and just outside off, watchfully pushed out. |
| 29.5 : T Boult to Ali, This time he stays back in his crease and blocks. |
| 29.6 : T Boult to Ali, Outside off, left alone. |
| 30.1 : A Patel to Shafiq, Aha... innovations coming up now. After a series of blocks and flicks, we now get to see a reverse sweep. Pitched outside leg, helped through third man for three runs. 100 COMES UP FOR PAKISTAN. 74 more needed. |
| 30.2 : A Patel to Ali, FOUR! And again! This time by a different batsman, for a different result! Pakistan growing in confidence now. Full and outside leg, Azhar brings out the reverse sweep and gets it through point for a boundary! |
| 30.3 : A Patel to Ali, Full and around off, watchfully pushed it back to the bowler. |
| 30.4 : A Patel to Ali, Around off, well blocked out. |
| 30.5 : A Patel to Ali, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 30.6 : A Patel to Ali, FOUR! Terrific shot. Full and around off, Azhar gets down and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary! 11 from the over, Pakistan pressing on the 'finish-it-quickly' button. 66 more to win. Azhar moves to 30 while the stand is worth 62. |
| 31.1 : T Boult to Shafiq, Good length outside off, left alone by Asad. |
| 31.2 : T Boult to Shafiq, Slightly fuller and outside off, pushed away through cover-point and comes back for two. Good running that! |
| 31.3 : T Boult to Shafiq, Full and slower outside off, Shafiq guides it on the front foot to third man for a single. |
| 31.4 : T Boult to Ali, Good length outside off, Azhar is solid in defense. |
| 31.5 : T Boult to Ali, Over the wicket this time, on a good length and off stump line. Azhar is half ahead and defends. |
| 31.6 : T Boult to Ali, Angling away and well outside off, left alone. |
| Sodhi changes ends. |
| 32.1 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Fuller and on off, Asad is well forward in defense. |
| 32.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Short and outside off, cut away to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 32.3 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Flatter and pitching on leg, Azhar flicks it in front of square on leg for another run. |
| 32.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Short again and pulled away by Shafiq to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 32.5 : Sodhi to Ali, Wide outside off and turning away, Azhar plays the cut and misses the ball completely. |
| 32.6 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Outside off on a length, Ali guides it to sweeper to retain strike. |
| Wagner into the attack now. |
| 33.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Bouncer first up on middle, Azhar ducks underneath it. |
| 33.2 : N Wagner to Ali, FOUR! Short again and Azhar is ready this time. Pulls it away behind square leg, always in control and all along the ground for four. |
| 33.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Short and outside off, Azhar attempts the pull again, this time in front of square on the leg side. Finds the fielder though. |
| 33.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Another short ball on middle, this one doesn't climb as much. Azhar pulls it away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 33.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Another bumper, Shafiq just ducks and lets it go. |
| 33.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Six bouncers in the over! Shafiq ducks again and is content to let the ball go through. In no hurry. |
| 34.1 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Looped up outside off, easily driven to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 34.2 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, FOUR! Too full and taken on the full by Shafiq and swept away behind square on the leg side. The deep square leg fielder dives but cannot stop this one. Six away from his half-century. |
| 34.3 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Short and outside off, cut away to point. |
| 34.4 : Ish Sodhi to Shafiq, Wrong 'un on off stump, Shafiq plays it away to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 34.5 : Sodhi to Ali, This one is full and outside off and turning away. Ali pads it away, Sodhi appeals but the ball was well outside off. |
| 34.6 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Looped up on off stump, Ali dead bats it. |
| 35.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Short one aimed at the head, Shafiq is content to duck and let it go. |
| 35.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Wagner serving more of the same, Shafiq ducks again. |
| 35.3 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Barrage of bouncers here, there is not even a thought of playing at it as Shafiq just lets it go again. |
| 35.4 : N Wagner to Shafiq, This is getting monotonous now, same delivery and similarly left alone. |
| 35.5 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Finally, this one is on good length and just outside off, Shafiq is forced to play at this one as he drives to cover. |
| 35.6 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Oh hello, there we go again. Ends the over with a short one aimed at Shafiq's head. He just ducks again. Quite an exercise. Maiden over. |
| 36.1 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Around the wicket and bowled well outside leg, Azhar pads it away. |
| 36.2 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Similar line again, Azhar pads it away again. |
| 36.3 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Padded away for the third time in a row as the ball lands well outside leg stump again. |
| 36.4 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Full toss at the pads, Azhar flicks it to short fine leg. |
| 36.5 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Flatter and quicker at the pads, tucked away towards square leg for a couple. Azhar Ali into the 40s now. |
| 36.6 : Ish Sodhi to Ali, Flighted on off stump, Ali drives to short cover. |
| 37.1 : N Wagner to Shafiq, No surprises as it's another bouncer outside leg, Shafiq ducks again. |
| 37.2 : N Wagner to Shafiq, Another bumper on middle, let through again. |
| 37.3 : N Wagner to A Shafiq, OUT! No fifty for Shafiq! The barrage of bouncers has done the trick in the end! This one is on a good length and slightly shaping away and Asad plays a loose shot outside off. The good length ball was only the second one that this bouncer machine, Wagner has bowled today. And it takes the slightest of feathers as Watling gobbles it up at a good height behind the wickets. Shafiq will be kicking himself as he would've liked to finish the game off and we were moments a |
| The excitement of the first half an hour had been completely blunted by brilliant and patient batting by Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali. New Zealand were plotting another Pakistan collapse as they managed to pick up three wickets early on but they encountered two rocks in Ali and Shafiq. The hosts' ship sailed clear of troubled waters and reached a very comfortable 130-3 before Wagner played on Shafiq's patience and got him out on the last ball before Lunch. |
| The game though, is firmly in the favor of Pakistan and they just need to play each ball on its merit as they look to go 1-0 up. Just 46 more runs required! On the other hand, if New Zealand manage to get another couple of wickets quickly after the break, the game will open up again. Join us in a while for the post-Lunch session. |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| Welcome back. 46 runs needed, 6 wickets in hand. Babar Azam is the new batsman in. And to face. |
| 37.4 : N Wagner to Azam, Full and outside off, Azam comes ahead and defends it. |
| 37.5 : N Wagner to Azam, There we go, the bouncer follows the full one. Azam ducks under it. |
| 37.6 : N Wagner to Azam, Another bumper, Azam does well to evade it. |
| Ajaz Patel into the attack. |
| 38.1 : A Patel to Ali, Full and flighted on midde, paddled away to deep fine leg by Azhar. The batsmen come back for three. |
| 38.2 : A Patel to Azam, Looped up outside off, Azam comes ahead and lets it go as it turns away. |
| 38.3 : A Patel to Azam, What a delivery! This full one on off draws Azam forward into a defensive shot and beats his outside edge as it turns away at the final moment. |
| 38.4 : Patel to Azam, Woah, great ball again! Azam is very lucky as this one bounces a tad too much and turns away to go in between bat and pad. Clips the pad on the way through but the ball is too high and the pad was outside off so there was no chance of an LBW there. The Ultra-Edge shows us that the ball is away from the inside edge too so good decision by the umpire, as well as NZ not to go upstairs. |
| 38.5 : A Patel to Azam, Flatter one on off stump, Azam defends it on the back foot. |
| 38.6 : A Patel to Azam, Good ball again, on middle. Babar stays back in the crease to defend it. |
| 39.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Short of a length delivery outside off stump, Azhar tries to pull but gets a bottom edge on that one. |
| 39.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Short of a length delivery again, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 39.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Good length delivery outside off stump, Ali lets it go. |
| 39.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Again on a good length outside off stump, the batsman lets it go. |
| 39.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Bowls wide outside off stump, the batsman lets it go again. |
| 39.6 : N Wagner to Ali, Four leaves in a row for Azhar. Again wide outside off stump, Azhar lets it go. |
| 40.1 : A Patel to Azam, Flatter one on off stump, Babar punches it away to sweeper cover for a single and is off the mark. |
| 40.2 : A Patel to Ali, Similar trajectory, punched straight to cover-point this time by Ali. |
| 40.3 : A Patel to Ali, Good use of the feet here as Azhar comes down the wicket and plays this ball which was on middle for a quick single to mid on. |
| 40.4 : A Patel to Azam, FOUR! Freebie for the new batsman. Short and slow outside off, all the time in the world for Azam to rock back and cut it away to the point boundary. 37 away now. |
| 40.5 : A Patel to Azam, This one is flatter and quicker on off stump, Azam just drops it down on the off side towards point and picks up a quick single. The point fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses it. |
| 40.6 : A Patel to Ali, Grip and turn for Ajaz as this ball is pitched on off and beats the outside edge of Azhar who was trying to defend, as it turns away at the last moment. Watling is quick to remove the bails but the foot has come back down by that time. |
| 41.1 : N Wagner to Azam, Full outside off stump, Babar drives it towards covers. The batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 41.2 : N Wagner to Azam, Bowls a bouncer, Babar lets it go. |
| 41.3 : N Wagner to Azam, Again a bouncer, the batsman does well to duck under it. |
| 41.4 : N Wagner to Azam, Short ball again, the batsman wanted to pull but gets it off his shoulder towards point. |
| 41.5 : N Wagner to B Azam, Short of a length delivery, Babar pulls it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs. |
| 41.6 : N Wagner to Azam, Again short of a length delivery, the batsman pulls it towards mid on. The batsmen get three runs. |
| 42.1 : A Patel to Azam, Flighted on pads, Babar plays it into the ground on the leg side. |
| 42.2 : A Patel to Azam, Full and pitched on leg, Babar gets his bat in front of his pad as he defends. |
| 42.3 : A Patel to Azam, Flatter on middle, Azam comes forward and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 42.4 : Patel to Azam, Run-out! Unnecessary from Pakistan. Absolute madness in the middle. The ball is full and at the pads, Azam plays it to short fine leg. Azhar Ali has come charging down and it was his call but Azam was ball-watching and doesn't run through. Azhar passes him and reaches the striker's end first, leaving Azam stranded in the middle. There was no need for this as it could set the cat among the pigeons. |
| Sarfraz Ahmed is the next batsman in. |
| 42.5 : A Patel to Ali, Loopy delivery on middle stump, Azhar defends off the front foot. |
| 42.6 : A Patel to Ali, Tossed up outside off stump, Azhar cuts it towards point. The fielder misfields and the batsmen take a run. |
| 43.1 : N Wagner to Ali, TOP EDGE, SAFE! Nearly another wicket. A short ball, Azhar goes for the pull but the bounce gets big on him. He miscues it but the top edge does not carry to Trent Boult running in from long leg. A single taken. |
| 43.2 : N Wagner to Ahmed, Slower one outside off, driven well by the captain and he's off the mark immediately. The batsmen come back for three. |
| 43.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Around the wicket, short and well outside off, Azhar ducks to let it go. |
| 43.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Short and on middle again, Azhar gets inside the line and pulls it away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 43.5 : N Wagner to Ahmed, Over the wicket to Sarfraz and the ball is short and angling away, the skipper ducks and lets it go. |
| 43.6 : N Wagner to Ahmed, Short one outside off, Sarfraz plays it safely to point. |
| 44.1 : A Patel to Ali, Tossed up on middle stump, Azhar defends off the front foot. |
| 44.2 : A Patel to Ali, Flighted delivery on leg stump, Azhar pushes it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 44.3 : A Patel to Ahmed, Tossed up on off stump, the skipper plays it towards point. |
| 44.4 : A Patel to Ahmed, BEATEN! Drifts away from the batsman, Sarfraz goes for the drive but gets completely beaten on this one. |
| 44.5 : A Patel to Ahmed, Floated on middle stump, the skipper defends off the back foot. |
| Is that LBW? Or is it a catch? It has been given not out. New Zealand reckon Sarfraz is out. |
| 44.6 : A Patel to Ahmed, HUGE APPEAL FOR CATCH! OUT! Tossed up on middle stump, Sarfraz goes for the sweep but gets a top edge and gets caught by BJ Watling. The umpire shakes his head. New Zealand go for the review. Ultra edge shows spike. He got an edge off his glove. Sarfraz gets out on 3. Pakistan lose their sixth wicket. They need 22 more to win this match. |
| Bilal Asif is the new man in at 8. |
| 45.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Good length ball angling away after landing on off, Azhar shoulders his arms to it. |
| 45.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Similar line again, good pace on this one. Azhar lets it go again. He holds the key here and needs to be patient and wait for the bad balls. |
| 45.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Just short of a good length, Ali wants nothing to do with it as it well outside off. |
| 45.4 : N Wagner to Ali, On a length again and outside off, Azhar leaves it again. |
| 45.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Good length, keeps a bit low on the off pole. Azhar defends on the back foot and gets the under edge that runs to gully. |
| 45.6 : N Wagner to Ali, On a length outside off again, Azhar lets it go through. Maiden over. |
| 46.1 : A Patel to Asif, Tossed up on middle stump, Bilal defends off the front foot. |
| 46.2 : Patel to B Asif, OUT! BOWLED! New Zealand are on fire. Bowls straight on middle stump, Bilal goes for the slog sweep but misses it completely and gets bowled. Pakistan lose their seventh wicket. Looks like Azhar Ali is stranded of partners. |
| Yasir Shah joins Azhar Ali in the middle. |
| 46.3 : Patel to Shah, NOT OUT! The bat has hit the ground! Lucky escape for Yasir. Tossed up outside off stump, Yasir goes for the drive but misses it completely and is beaten on this one. Watling catches and appeals and the umpire raises his finger! Yasir consults Azhar and goes for the review. Ultra Edge shows no spike. The bat had hit the ground. Phew! |
| Caught behind given out by the umpire. Yasir Shah immediately reviews after consulting his partner. Was it the noise of the bat hitting the ground? |
| 46.4 : A Patel to Shah, Tossed up on middle stump, Yasir defends off the back foot. |
| 46.5 : A Patel to Shah, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 46.6 : A Patel to Shah, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Slightly short of a length on off, Azhar pushes it to sweeper for a single. |
| 47.2 : N Wagner to Shah, Good length well outside off, Yasir watches it go through to the keeper. |
| 47.3 : N Wagner to Shah, Bumper outside off, Yasir just sways and lets it go through. |
| 47.4 : N Wagner to Shah, OUT! There's the eighth one! Full one after two short ones and Yasir just prods ahead and looks to play it to cover. It takes the outside edge and Ross Taylor who is between first and second slip keeps low to his left and holds on to a good catch. 21 runs still required! New Zealand look to be taking a grip of this game now. 4 wickets have been lost for just 8 runs. |
| Hasan Ali is in at no. 10. |
| 47.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Outside off and full, Hasan leaves it alone. |
| 47.6 : N Wagner to Ali, Short and on off, Hasan is inside the crease and defends. |
| Is that the 9th wicket? Watling has appealed for a stumping against Azhar. Referred upstairs... |
| 48.1 : A Patel to Ali, Not Out! Azhar and Pakistan breathe a huge sigh of relief. This one was down the leg side and Azhar looks to work it away to fine leg but misses it. Watling fails to gather it properly and the ball rolls off his glove and onto the stumps. They appeal for stumping but the back foot of Azhar is firmly on the ground when the bails fall. |
| 48.2 : A Patel to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.3 : A Patel to Ali, Comes down the track, Azhar comes down the track and pushes it towards long on for a single. |
| 48.4 : A Patel to Ali, A wild slog from Ali, he misses. |
| 48.5 : A Patel to Ali, Sensible from Hasan Ali. Comes forward and defends. |
| 48.6 : A Patel to Ali, Goes for another slog an gets it off the inner half through mid-wicket. They do not run. |
| 49.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Full outside off stump, Azhar drives it towards covers. |
| 49.2 : N Wagner to Ali, FOUR! Hammered away! Length delivery outside off stump, Azhar hits it straight past the bowler for a beautiful boundary. 16 more to win! |
| 49.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Outside off, swinging away, left alone. |
| 49.4 : N Wagner to A Ali, Outside off, flayed through the covers for a single. |
| 49.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Bowls a bouncer, Hasan does well to duck under it. |
| 49.6 : N Wagner to Ali, BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off stump, Hasan tries to go towards mid-wicket but gets completely beaten on this one. |
| 50.1 : A Patel to Ali, Flighted and on middle, Azhar comes ahead and keeps it out. |
| 50.2 : A Patel to Ali, Short and outside off, Azhar cuts it straight to point. |
| 50.3 : A Patel to Ali, Huge appeal but there was an inside edge there. Flatter on middle, Azhar Ali just brings the bat down in time to defend it. Luckily, the ball hits the inside edge and hits him on the pads. |
| 50.4 : A Patel to Ali, In the air and falls in no-man's land. Azhar Ali lofts it over cover. The ball was on off and spinning away. Really good shot under pressure. Played with a lot of control. 2 runs taken by the batsmen. |
| 50.5 : A Patel to Ali, The batsman has swept that one through the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 50.6 : A Patel to Ali, OUT! Yesterday's hero could be today's villain! Hasan Ali, what have you done? No need for him to play this shot at this moment, the ball was flighted outside off and Hasan's eyes lit up on seeing it. He goes for a huge slog over mid-wicket but fails to connect fully. The ball hits the top half of the bat and goes to Tim Southee, who is on as a substitute fielder in place of Ross Taylor. Really good catch under pressure as the ball was high in the air and would've been a di |
| Mohammad Abbas is the last man in. |
| 51.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Wide outside off stump, Azhar tries to play that but misses it. |
| 51.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery outside off stump, the batsman cuts it towards point. |
| 51.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Good length delivery on off stump, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 51.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery outside off stump, Azhar guides it to third man. The batsmen cross ends. They need 11 more for victory. |
| 51.5 : N Wagner to Abbas, Wide outside off stump, Abbas lets it go. |
| 51.6 : N Wagner to Abbas, Comes around the wicket and bowls on off stump, Abbas does well to defend it off the back foot. |
| 52.1 : A Patel to Ali, Almost gone through! Azhar comes down the wicket and yorks himself to this full length delivery. He is able to defend it to cover in the end. |
| 52.2 : A Patel to Ali, Fuller outside off, Azhar drives to deep cover but doesn't take the single. |
| 52.3 : A Patel to Ali, This one is flatter and quicker on off stump, Azhar Ali drops it down towards point and wants to come back for two, but they can't pick it up as the sweeper cover fielder is quick to it. Abbas on strike now! 10 required. |
| 52.4 : A Patel to Abbas, Looped up on off, Abbas defends this one confidently. |
| 52.5 : A Patel to Abbas, Flatter one on off again, Abbas goes back in the crease and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 52.6 : A Patel to Abbas, Loud applause from the sparse crowd! Abbas has managed to keep out the three deliveries. This one is overpitched on middle and Abbas comes half forward to defend it straight back to the bowler. |
| 53.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery on off stump, Azhar gets it off the inner half of the bat. |
| 53.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Full outside off stump, Azhar drives it towards covers. |
| 53.3 : N Wagner to Ali, BEATEN! Wide outside off stump, Azhar wanted to go for the cut but gets beaten on this one. |
| 53.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery on off stump, the batsman defends off the back foot. |
| 53.5 : Wagner to Ali, Slow yorker on middle stump, the batsman digs it out to cover and takes a single. 9 more needed now. Can Abbas survive? |
| 53.6 : N Wagner to Abbas, Bowls a bouncer, Abbas does well to duck under it. |
| 54.1 : A Patel to Ali, Looped up on off, pushed to sweeper cover by Azhar but no run taken. |
| 54.2 : A Patel to A Ali, Flighted well outside off, driven to long off but again declines to take a run. |
| 54.3 : A Patel to Ali, Fuller and outside off, Azhar drives to deep cover. |
| 54.4 : A Patel to Ali, Takes the single this time. Full and outside off, driven to sweeper cover. 8 required now! |
| 54.5 : A Patel to Abbas, Faster and full yorker length ball outside off, Abbas lets it go. |
| IS THAT THE END OF THE MATCH? Abbas has been given not out on a caught behind appeal. New Zealand have taken the review.... |
| 54.6 : A Patel to Abbas, Not out! There is absolutely nothing on Ultra-Edge. The ball is a brilliant one though! It lands on middle, grips and turns to beat the outside edge of Abbas who was half ahead in defense. Watling and the close-in fielders go up in a huge appeal as Bruce Oxenford shakes his head. The NZ fielders are convinced and ask Williamson to go upstairs. The replays confirm the original decision and that's a lost review for the Black Caps. Drama! Pakistan are trying to do it one run |
| 55.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery on off stump, Azhar drives it towards covers. |
| 55.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Full toss on leg stump, Azhar flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 55.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery outside off stump, Azhar cuts it towards point. He does not go for the run again. Had he tried, there were two runs on offer. |
| 55.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery again on off stump, the batsman defends off the front foot. |
| 55.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Length delivery outside off stump, the batsman plays the upper cut towards third man. The fielder could not quite get to the ball. The batsmen take a run. 7 more needed now. |
| 55.6 : N Wagner to Abbas, Full toss around off stump, Abbas defends off the front foot. Wagner fields and throws it back at the stumps but Abbas never left his crease. |
| 56.1 : A Patel to Ali, Full and on middle, Azhar defends it back to the bowler. |
| 56.2 : A Patel to Ali, Shorter outside off, cut away to deep point but no run taken. |
| 56.3 : A Patel to Ali, Comes down the wicket and hits this full one to long off. No run taken. |
| 56.4 : A Patel to Ali, Slower through the air, Azhar is half ahead and adjusts well to defend this one after it turns away slightly. |
| 56.5 : A Patel to Ali, Full ball at the pads, Azhar reverse sweeps it but short third man comes around and stops the single. |
| 56.6 : A Patel to Ali, Sensible batting from Ali, he comes down the wicket and drives to long off to pick up a single and retains strike. Only six required now! |
| 57.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Short of a length delivery, Azhar pulls it towards mid-wicket. |
| 57.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Short of a length delivery again, Azhar again pulls it towards square leg. |
| 57.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Short of a length delivery, the batsman got a low bounce and he pulls it towards mid-wicket. |
| 57.4 : N Wagner to Ali, HAHA! Azhar tries something different. Length delivery outside off stump, Azhar goes for the scoop but misses it completely and gets beaten. Wagner starts to appeal for the catch but then bails out. |
| 57.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Slow bouncer, the batsman plays it towards third man. The batsmen take a run. |
| 57.6 : N Wagner to Abbas, Bowls a bouncer, Abbas does well to duck under it. |
| 58.1 : A Patel to Ali, Flighted outside off, Azhar is drawn forward to drive it to cover-point but no run taken. |
| 58.2 : A Patel to Ali, Shorter outside off, Ali guides it to deep third man but doesn't run. |
| 58.3 : A Patel to A Ali, Similar ball and similar shot again, again the run is declined. |
| Azhar has been adjudged LBW! The decision though has been reviewed... |
| 58.4 : A Patel to Ali, OUT! New Zealand win by 4 runs. What a Test match! Azhar Ali looks devastated as the Ball Tracker shows the ball to be hitting the top of middle. The decision will remain and Pakistan have imploded quite spectacularly again! The ball was landing on leg and turns enough to beat the outside edge of Azhar Ali who was ahead to defend this one. It goes on to hit his back leg and the umpire thinks a bit before raising his finger. Pakistan had to review but unfortunately for Azhar |
| Let us take a breather, folks. What did New Zealand have during the Lunch break? Jubilation for the Kiwis. Heartbreak for Pakistan. This is the first time any team has lost by 4 runs in Test cricket. Lowest margin of defeat for Pakistan. Smallest margin of victory for New Zealand. As my colleague, THEONE, usually says to express his feelings - Wow. Just wow. |
| Coming to the match - not quite sure how and where Pakistan lost the game. They made New Zealand collapse from 111/3 to 153 all out and got a lead of 74 in the first innings. Managed to get a decent lead of 74. Then, just when it seemed like the Kiwis were taking the game away, Pakistan restricted them to 249 in the second dig, taking the last 6 wickets for just 29 runs. And then, they raced to 40, without losing a sweat. |
| There were a few twists this morning, with Pakistan losing three wickets quickly for 8 runs. However, when Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq got a partnership going, it seemed like the writing was on the wall. Even if Asad Shafiq did get out on the last ball before Lunch - just figure this out - 46 runs needed, 6 wickets in hand and plenty of overs left. Whom would you back? |
| One would back the batting side, of course, you would say. But Pakistan, being Pakistan, played just like Pakistan. There is a great degree of mercury rising involved when they play - irrespective of whether they win or lose and today was no less. It all started with a small incident. Really small. Perhaps the phone line was dead. Perhaps there was no network. But why did Azhar Ali not even TRY to call? |
| It seemed to be a non-eventful ball. Flicked towards square leg. Could have been a single, would not have mattered even if it was a dot ball. But then, communication was given no respect by either of the two Pakistan batsmen. Babar Azam was admiring the fielding effort while Azhar Ali desperately wanted the single. Neither a yes, nor a no. Just run and watch. What transpired was a run out, that of Babar and the game turned on its head. |
| The Babar run out seemed to inspire New Zealand and Pakistan both. The bowling side sensed that they can run through the lower order. The batting unit felt that they needed to get things done quickly. Atrocious shots were played, to say the least and only Azhar Ali seemed to be calm under pressure. However, perhaps he could have batted a bit better with the tail - maybe played more shots? |
| Ajaz Patel has a chat with Danny Morisson. The former smiles on being given the ball on having got a 5-fer. Says that it is a very special feeling to have done well and led your team to a win. Stresses further that they played the 'Kiwi' way of cricket, not giving up till the last ball. On the words during the Lunch break, Ajaz says that the discussion was just to keep it simple and not give anything away. Adds that it is quite rewarding to win a game for your country after all the hard work he |
| AJAZ PATEL HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Says that his game plan was pretty simple. New Zealand believed that they could keep plugging away and thanks the almighty for letting that happen. Credits the relaxed environment in the dressing room for helping the players absorb the pressure and not overdo things. On his debut, he says that he just tried to remind himself of all the hard work that he has done to get to this stage and on his bowling, he says that he just tried to keep it simple. |
| Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed admits that he is very disappointed. Says that when his side lost 3 quick wickets, it seemed like the match was over but then the Azhar-Shafiq stand revived fortunes. To lose from there, is even more heartbreaking, he adds. Praises Ajaz Patel for his accuracy but then believes his batsmen could have shown more patience. Admits that in the first place, this game should not have gone down to the wire and the batsmen should have played more shots. But when it did, the |
| Kane Williamson says that the team knew that the surface wasn't the easiest to bat on and a lot of scrappy batting was required. Observes that plenty of turn was available from even Day 1 and is happy to have come out on the right side of the result. Admits that there are a few batting issues to be resolved but then praises the effort put in. Has words of praise for the attitude shown, especially during the times when wickets fell in clumps. Praises Ajaz and Sodhi for bowling tirelessly this mor |
| That's it from this game then! Pakistan have stunned themselves more than anyone by choking so badly. Can they recover from this in 4 days' time? The second Test will be played in Dubai, from Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 10 am local (0600 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
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