So came to an end, a match which will be known for one of the best Test innings witnessed but one that happened under the shadow of the tragic events surrounding the passing away of Australian batsman, Phil Hughes. For Pakistan, this match also served a stark reminder that despite their successes against Australia in the earlier Test series, precious little has been done to fix their batting woes. It is yet to be seen what effect this pummeling will have on the outcome of the LOI series as the squad for that format will be different but unquestionably, New Zealand spirits will be at an all-time high as they take on Pakistan in the first of 2 T20Is starting in Dubai on 4th December.

By Azfar Khan (30th November, 2014)

The 4th day of the 3rd Test started with Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi facing up to the bowling pair of Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah. Craig who was batting at his overnight score of 36 hit a boundary and a six in back to back overs to bring up his half century, creating a new record for New Zealand of having 6 batsman making 50+ score in an inning.

The two were involved in a 45 run partnership before Hafeez caught and bowled Craig on 65 runs. New Zealand were 682/9, when Sodhi was joined by Boult and the two added 8 more runs to the team total before Sodhi was caught at first slip by Younis Khan off Yasir Shah's bowling ending the first inning of New zealand at 690/9.

Pakistan started their inning with the centurion of first inning Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood, who has been struggling with his batting through out the series. The start Pakistan would have wanted from their openers to pursue the trail of runs was cut short just in the second over of the inning when Shan Masood, who after contributing only 4 runs, edged one to Southee at first slip off Boult's bowling.

Pakistan were 13/1 when Azhar arrived at the crease to face the impressive duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult who were swinging the ball on a flat 4 Day pitch. Azhar’s stay at crease didn't last as long as Pakistan fans wanted as he was bowled by Boult for just 6 runs. Pakistan score was 20/2 when the inform Younis arrived in the middle but it took just another ball for New Zealand to get rid of the prized wicket of Younis Khan as he was given LBW by umpire for 0. Younis took the review but to no avail. Now struggling to stay afloat, Pakistan were 24/3 when Misbah joined Hafeez and the two added 2 run before going for lunch.

The second session of saw more trouble for Pakistan as Hafeez was caught and bowled by Craig for only 24 runs leaving Pakistan in a hopeless position. Asad Shafiq now joined captain Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease at 36/4 and the two tried to put up a fight against the New Zealand bowlers. Few boundaries from both Shafiq and Misbah kept Pakistan spirits up, but the partnership was only 27 when Misbah edged Craig's delivery to the keeper. Misbah scored 12 runs and Pakistan's score were 63 /5.

A lot of hopes rested on Sarfraz as he joined Shafiq in the middle and counter attacked the New Zealand bowlers, he scored 3 fours in one over and his attacking approach did rub off Shafiq a bit as now Pakistan were looking to attack the bowlers and runs had started to come a bit easily for the two. With some boundaries and sixes, the pair very quickly took their partnership to 50 runs, making it the first 50 run partnership for Pakistan in this second inning. Their partnership was extended to 73 run until Sarfraz cas caught at slip off Sodhi's bowling.

Score was 136/6, when Yasir Shah arrived and he scored 10 runs in first two deliveries he faced,a boundary and six before he was struck lbw off Sodhi's bowling for 10. Pakistan were 146/7 when Talha joined and faced one over before going for tea.

Third session of the day started with Shafiq and Talha playing their shots and getting as many runs as they could, thereby building a very useful partnership of 34 until Talha was lbw to Daniel Vettori. He scored an enterprising 19 and departed with Pakistan on 180/8.

Next batsman for Pakistan was Rahat Ali who supported Asad for a very good partnership of 50+ where he did enough to survive deliveries he faced and Asad did most of the scoring. Asad looked brilliant in this partnership with Rahat where he scored boundaries and hit sixes off spinners and fast bowlers to reach his highest Test score of 137 runs. His good inning was cut short when he pulled one straight to mid wicket fielder Craig. Asad went for 137 and Pakistan were 258/9. Zulfiqar was next and Pakistan could add only more run to the team total as Rahat slog swept one in the air which was an easy catch for Brendon McCullum off Craig's bowling giving him his first 10 wicket haul in a Test match.

So came to an end a match which will be known for one of the best Test innings witnessed but one that happened under the shadow of the tragic events surrounding the passing away of Australian batsman, Phil Hughes. For Pakistan, this match also served a stark reminder that despite their successes against Australia in the earlier Test series, precious little has been done to fix their batting woes. It is yet to be seen what effect this pummeling will have on the outcome of the LOI series as the squad for that format will be different but unquestionably, New Zealand spirits will be at an all-time high as they take on Pakistan in the first of 2 T20Is starting in Dubai on 4th December.

Discuss!