Pakistan’s bowling lineup, after proving too much for New Zealand in the previous game, looked less at ease as they toiled all day for just three wickets. All three completed partnerships were in excess of 70. New Zealand will look to build up on their strong platform and bat on till they feel that they no longer need to worry about their total not being enough, an area where visiting teams have been found wanting in the UAE in recent times.

By Tanzeel ur Rehman (17th November, 2014)

After the drubbing at Abu Dhabi, New Zealand would surely have been looking to get one back over Pakistan in Dubai and while they’re quite some way from doing that, they have certainly made a good start towards that end.

Winning the all important toss, New Zealand chose to bat, going into the game with the same side that played in Abu Dhabi. Misbah-ul-Haq, losing his first toss in four games, made three changes to his side. Two of those were forced as Shan Masood and Taufeeq Umar replaced Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez, both of whom are injured, at the top of the order. Ehsan Adil replaced Imran Khan, who was being rested, at one of the pace bowlers’ slots.

Batting first, New Zealand looked a lot more assured against Pakistan’s bowlers than they did in the previous game. Captain McCullum and the previous game’s centurion, Tom Latham, played their shots confidently and put up 77 for the first wicket in 24 overs before McCullum was caught by Shan Masood at the boundary, off Ehsan Adil’s bowling, while attempting an ambitious pull shot. Adil had impressed earlier with his tight line and length after returning to the Test team after nearly two years.

Kane Williamson replaced McCullum in the middle and he, along with Latham, picked up from where New Zealand had left off before the wicket fell. The pace of scoring slowed down considerably following McCullum’s departure but the batsman did not look particularly troubled at any point. Williamson and Latham put on another 76, taking New Zealand’s score beyond 150 before Williamson was bowled by an unplayable delivery from Zulfiqar Babar. His 32 were accumulated in a leisurely 86 deliveries.

Ross Taylor and Latham then carried on without a care in the world, bringing up their 50 partnership, New Zealand’s third for the match, in 14 overs. In doing so, they also took New Zealand’s total past 200, for the loss of just two wickets. Latham and Taylor’s stint at the crease proved to be a charmed one as several catches were dropped by Pakistan during the course of this partnership, Azhar Ali being the worst offender for Pakistan. Latham reached three figures for the second time in as many Tests when he took a single off Ehsan Adil in the 62nd over of the innings. Taylor and Latham batted together for 23 overs to put on 73, the third 70+ partnership in the innings before Yasir Shah’s persistence was rewarded and he had Ross Taylor caught at silly point for 23.

Corey Anderson had been one of New Zealand’s better batsmen in the previous game, scoring 48 crucial runs in the first innings. Anderson, alongside Latham, batted out the rest of the day without taking any risks. Latham was the player of the day as he scored an unbeaten 137 with Anderson scoring 7 off 38.

Pakistan’s bowling lineup, after proving too much for New Zealand in the previous game, looked less at ease as they toiled all day for just three wickets. All three completed partnerships were in excess of 70. New Zealand will look to build up on their strong platform and bat on till they feel that they no longer need to worry about their total not being enough, an area where visiting teams have been found wanting in the UAE in recent times.

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