MillenniumPost
Sports

New Zealand push Pakistan hard in second Test

New Zealand bowled with discipline and, despite Azhar Ali (in pic) and Younis Khan’s half-centuries, looked set for a lead in the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Wednesday. Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq in seamer Tim Southee’s penultimate over for 44 to close the third day on 281-6, still trailing by 122 runs on New Zealand’s first innings total of 403.

Sarfraz Ahmed was unbeaten on 28 and Yasir Shah on one in a day when the Pakistani batsmen failed to score big after getting good starts. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi led the New Zealand bowling with 2-65. Pakistan, resuming at 34-2 saw off the first session without losing any wicket as Younis Khan (72) and Azhar Ali (75) shared a 113-run stand for the third wicket. But New Zealand got four wickets in the next two sessions to press home their claims for a useful lead and in turn improve their chances for a series-levelling win.

Azhar added another 50 runs with Misbah but New Zealand hit back with the second new ball with the score at 194-3. Trent Boult claimed his first wicket in the series when he produced a beautiful delivery which got the edge of Misbah’s bat and landed in the safe hands of Ross Taylor at first slip.

Ali drove spinner Mark Craig through point for three to complete his 18th half-century. But he too fell soon, trying to cut Sodhi and was bowled. Briefscores: Pakistan 281/6 (Azhar 75, Younis 72) trail NZ (403) by 122 runs.
Next Story
Share it