After their performance on Day 1, Pakistan and Ahmed Shehzad in particular, will be looking to build on the platform set today and build up to an unassailable position to get the series started on a positive note. That first double century will certainly be on Shehzad’s mind and given the form the rest of the batting lineup is in, New Zealand will have their work cut out for them as they take the field for what looks to be another long day on Day 2.

By Tanzeel ur Rehman (9th November, 2014)

Stumps Day 1: Pakistan 269/1 (90.0 ov), Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat
 

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan

New Zealand: TWM Latham, BB McCullum*, KS Williamson, LRPL Taylor, CJ Anderson, JDS Neesham, BJ Watling†, TG Southee, MD Craig, IS Sodhi, TA Boult


It seems Pakistan cannot put a foot wrong these days in Test cricket. Less than 10 days after a triumphant home series against Australia, where they were firmly in control of all 10 days in the two match series, they continued their dominant ways on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand.

Winning his third consecutive toss in Test cricket, Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq decided to bat first and his decision paid dividends as openers Ahmad Shahzad and Mohammad Hafeez put on a record 178 for the first wicket in 53 overs at a healthy run rate of 3.36.

Pakistan began their innings tentatively as New Zealand’s opening pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult got considerable sideways movement in the air with the new ball. To their credit, Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad were solid in defence, Hafeez in particular looking as confident against the swinging ball as he ever has. 

Spin was introduced from both ends after the 10th over and the Kiwi spinners immediately found the wicket to their liking, getting a few to turn considerably and being economical in general against the openers. BJ Watling missed a stumping chance of Shehzad, when he was on 16 off the bowling of Mark Craig. 

Mohammad Hafeez had started coming out of his shell on the other end he reached his 50, off 90 deliveries, in the 35th over. Shehzad would get his own 50 in the 43rd over but his conservative approach meant that he had to face 148 deliveries to reach the landmark. The period between the two 50s was punctuated by the 100 partnership between the two openers coming up. This would soon cross 172, breaking Ramiz Raja and Shoaib Mohammad’s 24 year old record for the highest opening partnership for Pakistan in a Test against New Zealand.

Both batsmen picked up the pace considerably after reaching their half centuries and New Zealand’s spinners bore the brunt of their aggression. Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez scored 65 runs off the last 10 overs of their partnership before Hafeez was caught and bowled by Corey Anderson off a slower delivery, just 4 short of his first Test century in two years. Azhar Ali, who scored two centuries in the last Test he played, joined Shehzad at the crease and they soon settled into a partnership that is unbroken so far on 91.

Shehzad’s innings was the highlight of the day, as he negotiated swing from the pacers and turn from the spinners to craft a beautifully paced century, his third in Test cricket and his second in five innings. He was slow to come out of his shell, even after Mohammad Hafeez started playing his strokes, but his patience was rewarded as he reached his century off 218 deliveries, his second 50 coming up at a strike rate of over 70 after he scored his first at under 35. Azhar Ali batted in his usual calm manner, not taking many chances, while keeping the scoreboard moving along. 

Pakistan ended the day, once again firmly in control, on 269 for the loss of just one wicket, that of Mohammad Hafeez. Ahmed Shehzad was clearly the man of the day, as he batted out the full 90 overs, scoring an unbeaten 126 against an attack that boasts arguably the finest new ball pair in the world. For someone who is still fairly green in international cricket, playing just his 8th test match, this will surely be a big learning experience.

After their performance on Day 1, Pakistan, Ahmad Shehzad in particular, will be looking to build on the platform set today and build up to an unassailable position to get the series started on a positive note. That first double century will certainly be on Shehzad’s mind and given the form the rest of the batting lineup is in, New Zealand will have their work cut out for them as they take the field for what looks to be another long day on Day 2.

Discuss!