PAK v NZ: Pakistan struggle against New Zealand at close of play on first Test
Kyle Jamieson (C) celebrates with Tom Latham (R) the wicket of Pakistan’s Shan Masood (R) during the second day of the primary cricket match game between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on December 27, 2020. / AFP / MICHAEL BRADLEY
It wasn't smooth sailing for Pakistan as they lost their first wicket to New Zealand, finishing at 30/1 at stumps on Day 2 of the primary match game on Sunday.
Pakistan looked good at the beginning of the innings before Shan Masood's silly mistake cost him and therefore the team dearly, enabling New Zealand to draw first blood.
Looking to glance the delivery right down to his leg side, Masood edged it straight into the keeper's hands. Right-arm medium pacer Mohammad Abbas was sent in as a nightwatchman, who was ready to background the Kiwi threat for the day.
Earlier, Pakistan were finally ready to send the Kiwis back to the pavilion for a powerful 431 runs with Kane Williamson scoring his 23rd Test ton.
After resuming the day at 222 for 3 New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for the addition of 209 runs.
Kane Williamson was out for 129, his 23rd century, while BJ Watling made 73, Ross Taylor 70 and Henry Nicholls 56.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi took four for 109 and Yasir Shah three for 113.
After an extended , composed innings Williamson was out before lunch for 129 following a 133-run represent the fourth wicket with Henry Nicholls.
As rain clouds hovered on the brink of the bottom where Watling scored a double century against England a year ago, the wicketkeeper was untroubled as he picked up ones and twos with the occasional boundary.
The first wicket to fall between lunch and tea was Mitchell Santner, who stood during a 261-run stand with Watling within the England Test and who looked set again as he crisply moved to 19.
But he couldn't resist slashing at a good delivery from Faheem Ashraf and therefore the ball was edged to Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps.
All-rounder Kyle Jamieson gave Mohammad Abbas his first wicket and Rizwan his third catch to be out just before tea for 32.
Although the pitch not offered frontline bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Abbas an equivalent swing and seam they enjoyed on the primary day, they continued to demand respect from the batsmen with testing lines.
However, it had been the costlier Naseem Shah and Yasir Shah along side Ashraf who picked up the first wickets on day two.
Nicholls departure was strange as he was given out caught off the gloves from the bowling of Naseem Shah.
He talked at length with Williamson before deciding to not review the choice and walked off.
Replays, however, showed the ball hit his forearm and didn't touch either bat or glove.
When Yasir Shah came into the attack he picked up Williamson's wicket together with his third ball which turned enough to seek out a foothold for Haris Sohail to require a pointy , ground-level catch.
It was an uncharacteristic lapse from the New Zealand captain who, until then, had played a determined and risk-free innings for his 23rd Test century.
0 Comments