On this day in 2018: New Zealand beat Pakistan in a gripping Test
The playing conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi usually suit Pakistan, bearing in mind the spinners they have and also because of the experience they possess. But three years ago, the team, then captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, lost to New Zealand in a Test by four runs. After dominating for a chunk of the contest, the home team stuttered in the end.
Pakistan take the lead
After electing to bat first, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson responded with a 112-ball 63 but he didn’t get much support from the others as Kiwis folded for 153. From Pakistan, Yasir Shah was the standout with three wickets. Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali and Haris Sohail contributed with two wickets each. The hosts managed a lead of 74 runs after Babar Azam’s 109-ball 62.
Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Sohail got starts, but couldn’t convert them. Trent Boult was the wrecker-in-chief for the Black Caps, picking four wickets, though he couldn’t stop Pakistan from taking a substantial lead. In their second innings, the visitors did better as they scored 249 runs. Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling got fifties each and were involved in a 112-run stand.
Hasan Ali and Yasir Shah picked up five wickets each. New Zealand managed to set a modest target of 176 for Pakistan to achieve in the fourth innings. In the run chase, Sarfaraz and co got off to a decent start courtesy of a 40-run stand between Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. But the Kiwis came back and picked up Imam, Hafeez and Sohail, and reduced Pakistan to 48/3 in 13.4 overs.
New Zealand rise as Pakistan capitulate
Nevertheless, the hosts came back with an 82-run stand between Azhar and Shafiq. With 46 runs needed and seven wickets in hand, Pakistan were set for a sure-shot win. But then New Zealand stormed back and got their opponent down to 164/9 from 130/3 in a space of 13.3 overs. For Pakistan, Azhar was their last hope since he was in the middle right till the end.
The right-hander scored 65 runs off 136 balls with five fours. To his dismay, left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel nipped him out and brought the curtains down on the game. Patel got a fifer and he got the required support from Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner, who both got a couple of wickets each. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and went 0-1 down in the series. Patel was adjudged the ‘player of the match’.
