Leg-spinner Yasir Shah wrecked New Zealand with a career-best eight-wicket haul as Pakistan sniffed victory on the third day of the second Test in Dubai on Monday. The 32-year-old grabbed 8-41 in 12.3 overs which annihilated New Zealand to 90 all out in just 35.3 overs before taking two more wickets as New Zealand — following on — were 131-2 at close in their second innings. Yasir dismissed opener Jeet Raval for two before accounting for New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson caught behind for 30 to complete his third ten-wicket haul in the match. Tom Latham (44) and Ross Taylor (49) were at the crease at close as New Zealand need another 197 runs to avoid an innings defeat while Pakistan can level the series by taking another eight wickets with two days to play.
New Zealand won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by four runs last week to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Taylor has hit six boundaries and a six in his return-to-form innings while Latham has hit three boundaries as the two have added 65 for the unbroken third wicket stand to take the fight to the Pakistan bowlers. But the day belonged to Yasir who rocked New Zealand in the first innings. Rain had delayed the start of the third day by an hour but when the action started Yasir was lightening, bowling to his best ability on a turning Dubai stadium pitch. Yasir dismissed Latham (22), Taylor (nought) and Henry Nicholls (nought) in his ninth over, triggering a collapse during which New Zealand lost all their ten wickets for just 40 runs after being well set on 50 without loss. Yasir’s bowling figures — his 15th five-wicket haul — beat his previous best of 7-76 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2015 and also the best against New Zealand.
Intikhab Alam (7-52) held the record for Pakistan’s best bowling against New Zealand, achieved at Dunedin in 1973. New Zealand, resuming at 27 without loss, lost Raval in an unfortunate way as he tried to reverse sweep Yasir but the ball deflected off his bat to his thigh and hit the stumps. Raval top-scored with 31. From 50-1 it became 61-2 when Yasir had Latham caught at short-leg by Imam-ul-Haq off the first ball of his ninth over. Two balls later he bowled experienced Taylor with a beautiful delivery that turned and beat the forward push by the batsman. Off his fifth ball Yasir bowled Nicholls through the gap between bat and pad.
It was Yasir who ran Bradley-John Watling run out soon after lunch for one before dismissing Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel and Trent Boult — all without scoring in the space of nine balls. Six New Zealand batsmen fell without scoring, making it the fifth occasion in a Test when six batsmen failed to score in an innings. Williamson remained unbeaten on 28, watching wickets fell like nine pins at the other end. With Sodhi’s wicket Yasir also completed 100 wickets in 16 Tests in United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Sharja and Abu Dhabi). The third Test will be played in Abu Dhabi from December 3.
Commentary (New Zealand innings)
Key thing now is that the second new ball is just 2 overs away. Pakistan will look to strike immediately with that after the break and then run through the rest. On the flip side, if Watling and Nicholls can weather that storm, we might have a third session with Pakistan actually chasing a target. Join us back at 12.40 pm local (0640 GMT).
Cannot fault New Zealand much. They have fought hard and if you simply look at the score – 222/4 – it does not make a bad reading at all. Just that they are 106 runs behind with one inning already played, is piling on all the pressure on them. After Latham’s grit and Taylor’s attack, Nicholls has looked composed while Watling has not given anything for detractors to raise a finger so far.
It was a session which saw 91 runs being scored in 35 overs. On the outside it might seem like an attritional one but in reality it was not. Hasan and Abbas got the ball to reverse swing while Yasir got the ball to turn. Bilal was not that effective with his lines and lengths but you look at the scorecard and will read – Taylor dismissed by Asif. He has reaped the rewards of a tight line by Yasir.
A session which will please both sides. Pakistan more, because they managed to break the backbone of New Zealand’s batting while the Kiwis will be happy that they did not lose more than 2 wickets in that extended session.
77.6 H Sohail to Watling, Down the leg side, Watling looks to flick but misses. LUNCH ON DAY 4, NEW ZEALAND TRAIL BY 106! 222/4
77.5 H Sohail to Watling, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 222/4
77.4 H Sohail to Watling, Gets the paddle fine, but there is protection in the deep at fine leg. Two runs taken. 222/4
77.3 H Sohail to Nicholls, Full and around off, swept through square leg for a run. 220/4
77.2 H Sohail to Watling, Goes back and works it through square leg for a single. The deficit is now 109. 219/4
77.1 H Sohail to Watling, Around off, watchfully defended. 218/4
Looks like there is a minute left in the clock. We shall have one more over before Lunch. Haris Sohail to bowl that. 2-0-8-0 so far.
76.6 B Asif to Nicholls, Full and around leg, played in front of short leg. 218/4
76.5 B Asif to Nicholls, Down the leg side, Henry lets it go and Sarfraz parries it to short fine leg. 218/4
76.4 B Asif to Nicholls, Fuller in length, pushed back to the bowler. 218/4
76.3 B Asif to Nicholls, This is pitched outside leg as well, Nicholls looks to defend but misses and the ball hits his pads. 218/4
76.2 B Asif to Nicholls, Pitched outside leg, padded away. 218/4
76.1 B Asif to Nicholls, Full on middle and leg, watchfully defended. 218/4
75.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off, Nicholls gets down and sweeps it powerfully through square leg for a run. Moves to 30 and the stand is worth 20 now. 218/4
75.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Landed outside off, spinning in, watchfully defended. 217/4
75.4 Y Shah to Watling, Goes back and works it through square leg for a single. 217/4
75.3 Y Shah to Watling, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 216/4
75.2 Y Shah to BJ Watling, FOUR! HAMMERED! Too short and there is plenty of free real estate. Watling rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 216/4
75.1 Y Shah to BJ Watling, Short and around off, Watling goes back and pulls it wide of mid on for a couple. 212/4
74.6 B Asif to Nicholls, Very full outside off, watchfully defended. 210/4
74.5 B Asif to Nicholls, Landed outside off, Nicholls goes back to punch but gets a bottom edge back down the pitch. 210/4
74.4 B Asif to Nicholls, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 210/4
74.3 B Asif to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. 210/4
74.2 B Asif to Nicholls, Fuller in length, watchfully blocked out. 210/4
74.1 B Asif to Nicholls, Around off, watchfully defended. 210/4
73.6 Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 210/4
73.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside leg, swept fine for a run. 210/4
73.4 Y Shah to Watling, ‘OYE! OYE! OYEEEEE!’ yells Sarfraz. There seemed to be a miscommunication in the middle. But all is well in the end. Short and outside off, Watling punches it through point and sets off for a single. Nicholls responds but BJ stops for a fraction. Seeing that, Henry also pauses. Now Sarfraz starts to yell to Hafeez but the fielder has a long way to get to the ball. Nicholls eventually pushes Watling through and the single is completed. 209/4
73.3 Y Shah to Watling, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. 208/4
73.2 Y Shah to Watling, Beaten this time. Here BJ comes forward and goes at it with hard hands. The ball rips past the outside edge. 208/4
73.1 Y Shah to Watling, Full and outside off, Watling reaches out and looks to dead-bat that. Goes at it with soft hands and gets an outside edge which dies down in front of first slip. 208/4
72.6 B Asif to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. 208/4
72.5 B Asif to Nicholls, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. 208/4
72.4 B Asif to Watling, Goes back and works it past short leg for a run. 208/4
72.3 B Asif to Watling, FOUR! Well played. Full and outside off, Watling gets down and across and paddles it past backward square leg for a boundary. 207/4
72.2 B Asif to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 203/4
72.1 B Asif to Nicholls, On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single. 203/4
71.6 Y Shah to BJ Watling, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off. 202/4
71.5 Y Shah to Watling, Around off, watchfully defended. 202/4
71.4 Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 202/4
71.3 Y Shah to Watling, Fuller in length, driven straight to the bowler. 202/4
71.2 Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 202/4
71.1 Y Shah to Watling, Outside off, fuller in length, Watling looks to defend but the ball rips past the outside edge. 202/4
70.6 B Asif to Nicholls, Beaten. Beautiful length to finish that over. Bowled with a scrambled seam, tossed up outside off, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball spins past the outside edge. 202/4
70.5 B Asif to Nicholls, Goes back in his crease and blocks this time. 202/4
70.4 B Asif to Nicholls, Fuller in length, watchfully played out. 202/4
70.3 B Asif to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 202/4
70.2 B Asif to Nicholls, FOUR! Good-looking shot. Full and outside off, Nicholls reaches out and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary! 200 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND. The deficit is now 126. 202/4
70.1 B Asif to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. 198/4
69.6 Y Shah to Watling, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. A very good maiden from Yasir. 198/4
69.5 Y Shah to Watling, Massive shout for LBW! Not given. Two noises. Full and around middle, Watling looked to defend but missed and was hit on the pads. Pakistan roared out an appeal but umpire Reiffel stayed put. Replays indicate bat – but was the ball hitting the pad first? Close call. Benefit of doubt. 198/4
69.4 Y Shah to Watling, Another ripper. Pitched outside off, Bradley lunges to defend but the ball spins away past the outside edge. 198/4
69.3 Y Shah to Watling, Outside off, punched towards cover. 198/4
69.2 Y Shah to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 198/4
69.1 Y Shah to Watling, Outside off, Watling looks to defend but misses. 198/4
68.6 B Asif to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. Finally some success for Bilal. 198/4
68.5 B Asif to H Nicholls, EDGED, BUT SHORT! Things continue to happen. Full and outside off, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and lands just short of first slip! 198/4
68.4 B Asif to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 198/4
Bradley Watling walks in at number 6, replacing Taylor.
68.3 B Asif to Taylor, OUT! Top edge and this time the catch is taken! Well, this was coming. Taylor was looking a bit too flirty. This is the difference between Yasir and Bilal – BOUNCE. Had Rosco played this shot to Yasir, he might have pulled it off. But because Bilal induces extra bounce, Taylor gets a top edge off the sweep. He got a top edge in Bilal’s last over too. That time, the fielder was placed at the deep fine leg boundary. On this occasion, Yasir was stationed 10 yards inside. Comes running in slightly and takes a decent catch. Taylor misses out on a century but more importantly, Pakistan are back in this again. Not that they were out of this, but now, the remaining 6 wickets don’t look that far. The deficit for New Zealand is still 130. 198/4
68.2 B Asif to Taylor, Comes forward and pushes it towards the bowler. 198/3
68.1 B Asif to Taylor, Full and around off, watchfully defended towards short leg. 198/3
67.6 Y Shah to R Taylor, Pushes this through mid on for a run. 198/3
67.5 Y Shah to H Nicholls, A short ball, pulled towards square leg. There is a bit of a yes-yes and a no-no but eventually they go for the single. 197/3
67.4 Y Shah to Taylor, 50-RUN STAND IS UP. The fight continues. Around off, pushed through mid on for a single. 196/3
67.3 Y Shah to Taylor, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. 195/3
67.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Full and around off, defended watchfully. 195/3
67.1 Y Shah to R Taylor, Dropped short, around middle, Taylor rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. He is in the mood to attack. Moves to 80 with that couple. 195/3
66.6 B Asif to Taylor, Goes back and works it past short leg for one. 193/3
66.5 B Asif to Taylor, Works it through square leg for a couple. 192/3
66.4 B Asif to Nicholls, Around off, swept through mid-wicket for a run. 190/3
66.3 Asif to R Taylor, TOP EDGE, SAFE NOW! Rosco is flirting with his luck, playing too many attacking strokes. Full and around off, RT looks to sweep but the ball bounces and takes the top edge. Luckily for him, does not carry to deep fine leg. A single taken. The deficit is now 139. 189/3
66.2 B Asif to Taylor, Comes down the track this time but is beaten by the off spin. Looks to flick but is hit on the pads. 188/3
66.1 B Asif to Taylor, FOUR BYES! Too full, down the leg side, Taylor looks to paddle but misses. The keeper behind misses too. The stand is worth 42 now. 188/3
65.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, Lunges and blocks towards short leg now. 184/3
65.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off, pushed to the off side. 184/3
65.4 Y Shah to Nicholls, Ohhh… massive turn. Landed outside off, Nicholls initially looks to flick but then decides to pad it away. No LBW appeal as that was too high and spinning down leg too. 184/3
65.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Short again, cut through point for a single. 184/3
65.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Lessens the speed, tosses the ball up, bowls it fuller, around middle, watchfully defended. 183/3
65.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. 183/3
Rest for Yasir? No. He just gets a change of ends. Here he is again. 25-3-95-2 so far. Spin from both ends now.
64.6 B Asif to Nicholls, Landed outside off, spinning away, shouldered arms to. 183/3
64.5 B Asif to Nicholls, Nicely tossed up outside off, Henry looks to defend but the ball takes the inside edge and goes wide of short leg. 183/3
64.4 B Asif to Taylor, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. 183/3
64.3 B Asif to Nicholls, Full and around off, swept to deep mid-wicket for a single. 182/3
64.2 B Asif to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. 181/3
64.1 B Asif to Nicholls, EDGED, BUT DROPPED! Bilal almost strikes on return. Full and outside off, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball spins away, takes the outside edge and goes to Sarfraz who reacts late. The ball hits his gloves and goes wide of first slip. 181/3
Yasir Shah is finally given some rest. Bilal Asif to bowl now. 14-1-30-0 so far.
63.6 M Abbas to Nicholls, Around off, Henry gets across and works it through mid-wicket for one. Moves to 20. 181/3
63.5 M Abbas to Nicholls, Full and outside off, closer than the previous one, this time a compact defense is shown. 180/3
63.4 M Abbas to Nicholls, Tempting line outside off, fuller in length, inviting the drive but Nicholls shoulders arms. 180/3
63.3 M Abbas to Taylor, Landed outside off, Taylor gets across and looks to defend but the ball squirts off the inner half of the bat through square leg. A run taken. 180/3
63.2 M Abbas to Nicholls, Drives this straight down the ground. Yasir Shah dives to his right from mid on and saves the boundary. A single taken. The deficit is now 149. 179/3
63.1 M Abbas to Nicholls, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended towards cover. 178/3
62.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, Very full and just outside off, watchfully pushed towards cover for a run. 178/3
62.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off, Nicholls looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the body. Impact was well outside off. 177/3
62.4 Y Shah to Taylor, Comes over the wicket now, bowls a googly, worked to square leg for a single. 177/3
62.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Again, pitched well outside leg, padded away once more. 176/3
62.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. Moves to 70. The stand is worth 30 now. 176/3
62.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Pitched outside leg, padded away. 174/3
61.6 M Abbas to Nicholls, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 174/3
61.5 M Abbas to Nicholls, Around off, watchfully defended. 174/3
61.4 M Abbas to Nicholls, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 174/3
61.3 M Abbas to Nicholls, Miles outside off, Nicholls is not tempted into the drive and lets it go. 174/3
61.2 M Abbas to Nicholls, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 174/3
61.1 M Abbas to Nicholls, Full and outside off, pretty wide, left alone. 174/3
60.6 Y Shah to Taylor, Landed well outside leg, Rosco looks to pad it away but this time the ball hits the keeper’s pads. 174/3
60.5 Y Shah to Taylor, One more delivery outside leg, padded away again. 174/3
60.4 Y Shah to Taylor, Landed outside leg, padded away. 174/3
60.3 Y Shah to Nicholls, Now plays the conventional sweep, through mid-wicket for a single. 174/3
60.2 Y Shah to Nicholls, FOUR! Nicely played. Full and outside off, Nicholls quickly gets into position and reverse sweeps it behind backward point. 173/3
60.1 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 169/3
DRINKS ARE ON THE FIELD. If you are wondering why the break has been taken 15 minutes earlier than the usual 11 am local, just to inform you, that we had an early start today – at 9.30 am local time. Hence, this is a 2-and-a-half-hour session, which means that the break was scheduled after 75 minutes. Good fighting period of Test cricket. Pakistan have not bowled badly while New Zealand have not caved in. There is reverse swing available, there is massive turn around but the Kiwis have been defiant. They have managed to score just 38 runs in 17 overs this morning but have lost only Latham. Taylor is stitching the innings nicely and the team just needs its other batsmen to play around him. Still 159 runs behind. 81 overs left in the day.
59.6 M Abbas to Taylor, Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. 169/3
Change in the field. A man has been brought at short mid on, in addition to the already existing short mid-wicket.
59.5 M Abbas to Taylor, Walks into the shot and pushes it towards mid on. 169/3
59.4 M Abbas to Taylor, Down the leg side, Rosco misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads to the leg side. 169/3
59.3 M Abbas to Taylor, Full and straight, driven straight down the ground. 169/3
59.2 M Abbas to Taylor, On middle and leg, flicked straight to mid-wicket. 169/3
59.1 M Abbas to Taylor, NOT OUT. No inside edge but the ball is going down leg. Pakistan lose their second review as well. Have to admit, that looked close to the naked eye. Probably because Taylor got a long way across and fell over in his followthrough. Full and around off, tailing in a long way, Rosco looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Abbas had a chat with Sarfraz and then went for the review. Hawk Eye showed it to be missing leg. 169/3
Is that out? Taylor seems to have been hit right in front of the stumps. He has been given not out. Pakistan have taken a review. Inside edge, perhaps?
58.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, Gets down and across this time and sweeps it but straight to square leg. 169/3
58.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Landed wide outside off, spinning in a long way, Nicholls goes deep in his crease and blocks. 169/3
58.4 Y Shah to Nicholls, Pitched around off this time, better defensive technique shown. 169/3
58.3 Y Shah to Nicholls, Around leg, worked past short leg. 169/3
58.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Too full, around off, driven through the covers for a single. The deficit is now 159. 169/3
58.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Full and just outside off, well defended. 168/3
57.6 M Abbas to Nicholls, FOUR! Goes too straight, lands it down the leg side, Nicholls does not miss out and flicks it towards fine leg. Bilal Asif gives it a chase from long leg but while attempting a dive to his left, his knee hits the turf and he yells in pain. Gets up gingerly but is continuing. This 4th wicket stand has moved to 22 now. 168/3
57.5 M Abbas to Nicholls, Landed outside off again, pretty full, swinging away, wide as well, shouldered arms to. 164/3
57.4 M Abbas to Nicholls, Landed outside off, blocked doggedly towards point. 164/3
57.3 M Abbas to H Nicholls, Very full, around middle, pushed towards mid on. 164/3
57.2 M Abbas to Taylor, Down the leg side, Rosco tickles it towards fine leg for a single. 164/3
57.1 M Abbas to Taylor, Full and just outside off, Taylor gets across and works it towards short mid-wicket. 163/3
56.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, A googly to end the over, around leg stump, HN goes back and punches it back to the bowler. 163/3
56.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Much fuller, around middle, worked straight to short leg. 163/3
56.4 Y Shah to Nicholls, Down the leg side, short in length, Henry looks to flick but misses due to the extravagant turn, getting hit on the pads. 163/3
56.3 Y Shah to Nicholls, Around middle and off, Nicholls comes down the track and blocks. 163/3
56.2 Y Shah to Taylor, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. 163/3
56.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Full and around off, solidly defended. 162/3
55.6 M Abbas to H Nicholls, Full and outside off, the outswinger, plays the drive this time, straight to Mohammad Hafeez at short extra cover. 162/3
55.5 M Abbas to Nicholls, One more leave outside off, pretty wide. 162/3
55.4 M Abbas to Nicholls, Covers his off stump and offers another leave. 162/3
55.3 M Abbas to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. 162/3
55.2 M Abbas to Nicholls, Lovely delivery. Landed on a length outside off and then shapes away after pitching. Beats the outside edge. 162/3
55.1 M Abbas to Taylor, Full on middle, Taylor works it through mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. Could have been close had the fielder scored a direct hit. 162/3
Mohammad Abbas is called upon to bowl now. 13-5-29-0 so far. Very rare that he goes about, without picking up a wicket. The first innings was the second such instance, after his 0/31 in Abu Dhabi against the Kiwis in the third innings.
54.6 Y Shah to Taylor, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run. 161/3
54.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, Comes down the track and looks to drive but the ball spins in and goes off the inner half of the bat wide of mid-wicket. A single taken. 160/3
54.4 Y Shah to H Nicholls, FOUR! FETCH THAT! ‘AYE HARRISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!’ yells Sarfraz. Poor effort in the field, poor ball first up. Short and around leg stump, Nicholls goes back and pulls it behind square leg. Haris Sohail gets to the ball from square leg and slides but the cherry goes through. Sarfraz shakes his head in disgust. The deficit is now 168. 159/3
54.3 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 155/3
54.2 Y Shah to Nicholls, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 155/3
54.1 Y Shah to Nicholls, Full and outside off, a bit widely tossed up, driven straight to mid off. 155/3
53.6 H Ali to Taylor, Around off, pushed to the off side. 155/3
53.5 H Ali to Taylor, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 155/3
53.4 H Ali to Taylor, On middle and leg, worked straight to mid-wicket. 155/3
53.3 H Ali to Taylor, Goes for that inswinger, very full, it is pushed towards mid on. 155/3
53.2 H Ali to Taylor, Full and down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads down the leg side, which is stopped by the keeper. 155/3
Taylor pulls out. Sarfraz tries to be cheeky, moving the man from second slip very late, towards gully. Rosco spots that and then bails out. Rightly so.
53.1 H Ali to Taylor, Full and around middle, worked straight to mid-wicket. 155/3
52.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 155/3
52.5 Y Shah to Taylor, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run. 155/3
52.4 Y Shah to Nicholls, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. 154/3
52.3 Y Shah to Nicholls, On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket. 153/3
52.2 Y Shah to R Taylor, Outside off, driven through the covers for a run. 153/3
52.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. 152/3
51.6 H Ali to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 150/3
51.5 H Ali to H Nicholls, Full and around off, driven straight to mid off. 150/3
51.4 H Ali to Nicholls, Around off, defended watchfully. 150/3
51.3 H Ali to Taylor, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. They pick up a single. 150/3
51.2 H Ali to Nicholls, Outside off, punched through point for a single. 149/3
51.1 H Ali to Nicholls, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 148/3
50.6 Y Shah to Nicholls, On middle and leg, flicked away for a run. 148/3
50.5 Y Shah to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 147/3
50.4 Y Shah to Taylor, Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single. 147/3
50.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 146/3
50.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Full on middle, driven straight down the ground. 146/3
50.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Outside off, guided straight to backward point. 146/3
49.6 H Ali to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. Excellent over from Hasan. 146/3
49.5 Ali to Nicholls, NOT OUT. MISSING LEG! Nicholls survives. On a length outside off, coming in sharply, Henry misses his defense and is hit on the pads. Hasan appeals and umpire Reiffel raises his finger! HN has a chat with Taylor and then signals the ‘T’. Technology saves him. 146/3
Nicholls has been adjudged LBW! He has taken the review though. Looks to be missing leg…
49.4 H Ali to Nicholls, Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on. 146/3
Henry Nicholls walks in at number 5, replacing Latham.
49.3 H Ali to Latham, OUT! Given out caught behind! The ball has carried! Well, there is a spike on the Snickometer but guess that the third umpire has given this in a bit of hurry. Massive moment in the game and Latham is not happy at all. Does not show any emotion, just walks off with his head down. Respect. On a length outside off, comes in a long way, Nicholls looks to defend but is beaten by the movement. There is a noise as the ball goes past bat and Pakistan appeal. Initially, Paul Reiffel is about to discuss with the square leg umpire whether the ball carried but then stops himself. Then Pakistan put more pressure and eventually, Reiffel signals upstairs, giving the soft signal as OUT. Now, here is the catch – Snickometer shows a spike when the ball goes past the bat – but at that same moment, the willow has hit the pad too! Could it have been that the noise came off the bat hitting the equipment? However, Ian Gould is happy with just two views. Immediately says that it is out. Could have taken more time. Not quite sure what was the source of the noise. Is this the opening Pakistan needed? New Zealand still trail by 182 runs. 146/3
Is that a nick? Pakistan reckon that they have got Latham caught behind. It has been given not out though. After a long deliberation, the umpires discuss amongst themselves and signal towards the third umpire. There was a noise. I guess this is about the carry. The soft signal is OUT.
49.2 H Ali to Latham, Comes around the wicket and bowls a full ball around off, Latham nicely works it wide of mid on and comes back for the second. Two important runs. Because it brings up his 15TH TEST 50, 2nd against Pakistan and first in the UAE. 146/2
49.1 H Ali to Taylor, He is going for that inswinging yorker. Dishes out a low full toss in that process, which is flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. 144/2
48.6 Y Shah to Latham, Once again, this is blocked in front of short leg, but not as convincingly as the previous one. Seemed to come down the track but got beaten in flight. Had to adjust. 143/2
48.5 Y Shah to Latham, On middle and leg, defended in front of short leg. 143/2
Yasir is not quite happy with the shape of the ball. He shows it to he umpire who seems happy though and returns it to Yasir.
48.4 Y Shah to Latham, Floated nicely around off, Tom looks to defend but the ball spins in, takes the inside edge and hits him on the pads. 143/2
48.3 Y Shah to Latham, On middle and leg, flicked towards mid on. 143/2
48.2 Y Shah to Taylor, This is around off, driven wide of mid off for a single. 143/2
48.1 Y Shah to Latham, Tossed up nicely outside off, Latham looks to sweep but misses. The ball spins in off the rough and beats everyone. A bye taken. 142/2
47.6 H Ali to Taylor, On a length outside off, swinging in, pushed towards the off side. 141/2
47.5 H Ali to Taylor, A short ball outside off, Rosco is surprised but manages to keep it down to the off side. 141/2
47.4 H Ali to Taylor, Around off, solidly defended. 141/2
47.3 H Ali to R Taylor, The ball has found the edge of the bat. 141/2
47.2 H Ali to Taylor, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 141/2
47.1 H Ali to Taylor, LBW appeal. Turned down. On a length around off, coming in a long way, Taylor misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Probably going down leg. Hawk Eye confirms. 141/2
46.6 Y Shah to Tom Latham, Floated around middle, the googly, pushed towards the off side. 141/2
46.5 Y Shah to Latham, Around middle and leg, watchfully defended in front of short leg. 141/2
46.4 Y Shah to Latham, Full and outside leg, Tom looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads, wide of short leg, towards backward square leg. 141/2
46.3 Y Shah to Latham, FOUR! Lovely shot. Too full, around leg, Latham gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary! The deficit is now 187. 141/2
46.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Short in length, this time Rosco meets the cut, to deep point for a single. 137/2
46.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Landed outside off, spinning away, Taylor looks to cut but misses. 136/2
45.6 H Ali to Taylor, Terrific inswinger again, on middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a single. The stand is worth 70 now. 136/2
Very good ball from Hasan that. He covered the ball till the time he was about to deliver and at the last moment, showed the shine.
45.5 H Ali to R Taylor, Lovely inswinger, shaping in nicely from outside off, Rosco watchfully pushes it towards cover. 135/2
45.4 H Ali to Taylor, Around off, pushed to the off side. 135/2
45.3 H Ali to Taylor, Very full, outswinger, nearly a yorker, Taylor reads it well and digs it out. 135/2
45.2 H Ali to Taylor, A touch loose, half volley outside off, driven straight to cover. 135/2
45.1 H Ali to Taylor, Full and just around off, solidly defended. 135/2
44.6 Y Shah to Latham, On middle and leg, worked to the leg side. 135/2
44.5 Y Shah to Latham, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. 135/2
44.4 Y Shah to Latham, This time Tom connects with his flick but does well to keep it down, in front of leg slip. 135/2
44.3 Y Shah to Latham, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. 135/2
44.2 Y Shah to Latham, On middle and leg, Latham looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads and lands just short of leg slip. 135/2
44.1 Y Shah to Latham, Down the leg side, spinning a long way down, left alone. 135/2
Who will it be to bowl from the other end? Yasir? Abbas? The former.
43.6 H Ali to Taylor, On middle and leg, flicked straight to mid-wicket. 135/2
43.5 H Ali to Taylor, Massive movement. Hasan lands this outside off, Taylor looks to defend but the ball jags back in, takes the inside edge and hits him on the pads. 135/2
43.4 H Ali to Taylor, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. 135/2
43.3 H Ali to Taylor, On a length outside off, coming in, Rosco looks to defend but the ball shapes away and beats him. 135/2
43.2 H Ali to Taylor, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 135/2
43.1 H Ali to Taylor, FOUR! What a way to start the day. Full and wide outside off, Taylor reaches out and drives it through the covers! HALF CENTURY FOR TAYLOR, his 29th in this format, 7th against Pakistan and 2nd in the UAE. 135/2
No overcast conditions today. Warm and bright sunshine welcomes all the players to the start of Day 4. Tom Latham and Ross Taylor mark their guards. It will be Hasan Ali to start off proceedings to Rosco. Here we go!
New Zealand coach Gary Stead had a chat with Danny Morrison last evening. Said that Pakistan have raised their level from the first Test but stressed that New Zealand have not given up. Hoped to fight hard and put pressure on the ‘home’ side. Admitted that things tend to happen quickly in this part of the world after nothing happening for a long time. Saw the positive in the team coming out nicely in the second innings, especially Tom Latham and Ross Taylor. Also agreed that the challenge is to learn how to play spin, especially since that is not seen much in New Zealand conditions. Concluded by saying that the advent of T20 forces the batsmen to play more strokes but here, it is more about playing out long periods of time.
Play begins half an hour early today – at 9.30 am local (0530 GMT) to make up for the lost overs due to rain and bad light yesterday. So this will be a 150-minute session. Pakistan will look at breaking this Taylor-Latham partnership and then get through the middle order quickly.
The ‘home’ side, on the other hand, might be on top but have got a few thoughts to ponder. While it is great to have a bowler take 10 wickets in an innings, it is not good to be over-reliant on him. Of the 12 wickets to have fallen, 10 have gone to Yasir, 1 has been a run out while one went to Hasan Ali, in the first innings. They will need other bowlers to support Shah, else you never know, a big fightback might even take the sting out of their attack.
A session of greatness for a Pakistani special. A period of madness for New Zealand. That is how one can describe Monday best. The Kiwis began their pursuit of 419 in a nice fashion, being 50/0. But then, Yasir Shah ran through them and they collapsed like a pack of cards, folding up for 90. They have now begun their second innings well too, having reached 131/2 but the prospect of being 197 runs behind, two days left and the pitch spinning will pose a big challenge. First target – can they make Pakistan bat again? Hello and a warm welcome to the fourth and probably, the final day of the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai.
… DAY 4, SESSION 1 …
Another 197 runs is what New Zealand have to score first to avoid an innings defeat. Still a long way away and with the ball turning how it is, this looks a very tough task. Will Pakistan continue their domination or will New Zealand spring in a surprise? Join us to find out on Day 4. we have an early start as we lost quite a few overs today. So join us 30 minutes before. Till then, take care and goodbye!
New Zealand though will be happy with their effort in their second innings. They did lose Jeet Raval early but Williamson and Latham added 56 runs for the second wicket. The former though was dismissed and one believed the procession would once again begin but Taylor and Latham have continued the fight. The former never looked comfortable, whereas the latter is playing well. The two are amidst a 65-run stand and both are nearing their fifties. However, they need to play big innings if New Zealand stand a chance in this game.
New Zealand are fighting back well but Pakistan are way ahead in the game at the moment and it is courtesy one man, Yasir Shah – what a day he has had. First he picked up career-best figures and ensured Pakistan enforce the follow-on. To add to that, he also picked the two wickets to fall, ending with 10 today.
The umpires now feel the light is not good enough for play to continue so they have asked the players to walk off. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3!
42.6 B Asif to Taylor, Flatter and outside off, Taylor once again goes for the cut. The ball turns back in sharply. Taylor adjusts and then guides it through backward point for a run. 131/2
42.5 B Asif to Taylor, Pitches it on middle and it turns away further. Taylor lets it be as it is down the leg side. 130/2
42.4 B Asif to Latham, Not a good follow-up delivery, it is short and outside off, Latham pushes it through covers and a run is taken. 130/2
42.3 B Asif to Latham, Big turn for Bilal, he bowled it short and Latham defended it off his back foot but he was taken aback by the spin that delivery got. 129/2
42.2 B Asif to Taylor, Uses his feet and then strokes it to long on. Taylor sets off for a run. The fielder there collects the ball and does have a shy at the bowler’s end but misses. 129/2
42.1 B Asif to Taylor, Slower through the air on off, Taylor goes back and then works it with the turn towards short leg. 128/2
The umpires just checked the light and have Pakistan to discontinue the pacers and they will have to get their spinners in. Bilal Asif is back.
41.6 H Ali to Latham, A hint of swing, bowled outside off and Latham leaves it to the keeper. 128/2
41.5 H Ali to Latham, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 128/2
41.4 H Ali to Tom Latham, Full and driven away beautifully by Latham through covers but the ball doesn’t reach the boundary and two runs are taken. 128/2
41.3 H Ali to Latham, Tries to compensate this time but ends up bowling it too wide outside off, it is left alone. 126/2
41.2 H Ali to Latham, On the pads, easy pickings for Latham, he flicks it down to fine leg and runs two. 126/2
41.1 H Ali to Latham, Hasan Ali starts the over by bowling full and Latham drives it straight towards mid off. 124/2
40.6 M Abbas to Taylor, Ends with a delivery down the leg side, Taylor fails to put bat on ball. 124/2
40.5 M Abbas to Taylor, On the pads and Taylor flicks it towards fine leg for two. 124/2
40.4 M Abbas to R Taylor, FOUR! Again a cut shot but this time Taylor gets the desired result. Short and outside off, Ross plays it late and through the third man region for a boundary. 122/2
40.3 M Abbas to Taylor, Short and once again a hint of swing into the batsman for Abbas, Taylor tries to hit it through the off side but gets an inside edge on the leg side. 118/2
40.2 M Abbas to Taylor, Almost drags it on! Abbas once again gets it to tail back in just a touch. This though is a little shorter in length and outside off, Taylor goes for the cut but the shot is not on. He gets an inside edge onto his pads. 118/2
40.1 M Abbas to Taylor, Some swing for Abbas! He gets this one to come back in from off, Taylor adjusts and works it to mid-wicket. 118/2
Mohammad Abbas is back on. 3-1-5-0 so far.
39.6 H Ali to Latham, Full and drifts away on the leg side, Sarfraz does well to dive and stop it. 118/2
39.5 H Ali to Latham, Wide outside off, Latham need not play at those, especially at this time of the game. 118/2
39.4 H Ali to Latham, Short and defended confidently by Latham. 118/2
39.3 H Ali to Latham, Full and outisde off and Latham is not tempted to drive and lets it go to the keeper. 118/2
39.2 H Ali to Latham, This is angled into the batsman, Latham works it to mid-wicket. 118/2
39.1 H Ali to Latham, Outside off, the batsman leaves it alone. 118/2
Finally a change of pace. Hasan Ali to bowl now. He was warming up a long time ago.
38.6 Y Shah to Taylor, Comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. Blocks it. 118/2
38.5 Y Shah to Taylor, SIX! Brings up the 50-run stand in style! Taylor has really come out with a lot of intent. He is pouncing on any bad deliveries bowled by the bowler. Another short one and Taylor latches onto it. He pulls it with authority and over the mid-wicket fence. They need to continue, there is still a long way to go and both the batsmen will know that. 118/2
38.4 Y Shah to R Taylor, FOUR! Short and pulled it on the leg side with ease by Taylor. He has been waiting to punish such loose deliveries. 112/2
38.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Floats it up on off, Taylor blocks it out. 108/2
38.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Slightly short and around off, Taylor goes back and cuts it to point. He loves playing that shot. 108/2
38.1 Y Shah to Latham, LEG BYE! This is down the leg side, Latham tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and goes between leg slip and the keeper, down towards the fine leg region for a single. 108/2
37.6 B Asif to Taylor, FOUR! FEROCIOUS! Oh short leg, save yourself. Full and around off, Taylor gets down and sweeps it powerfully, just past short leg, to the backward square leg fence! The stand is now worth 41. 107/2
37.5 B Asif to Taylor, Plays that very late, right from the line of the stumps, tickling it through fine leg for a couple. 103/2
37.4 B Asif to Taylor, Tossed up slowly outside off, dead-batted back to the bowler. 101/2
37.3 B Asif to Taylor, Around off, solidly defended. 101/2
37.2 B Asif to Taylor, INSIDE EDGE, PAST SHORT LEG! Full and around off, Taylor lunges to defend but the ball spins in, takes the inside edge and rockets well past short leg towards short fine leg. 101/2
37.1 B Asif to Taylor, Full and outside off, swept towards backward square leg. 101/2
36.6 Y Shah to Latham, Latham goes back, lets the ball do its bit and then with the turn works it to square leg. 101/2
36.5 Y Shah to Taylor, Another floated delivery around off, Taylor hits it nicely through covers and a run is taken. 101/2
36.4 Y Shah to Taylor, This is nicely floated around off, Taylor strokes it down to mid on. 100/2
36.3 Y Shah to Latham, Flicks it on the leg side towards the fine leg region and a single is taken. Brings up the 100 runs for the Kiwis. 100/2
36.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Short but the ball keeps low and Taylor hits it off his back foot for a single. 99/2
36.1 Y Shah to Latham, Brings out the sweep shot and plays it well towards backward square leg. The fielder there dives to his left and makes a half-stop. A run taken. 98/2
35.6 B Asif to Latham, On the shorter side once again, punched though the covers for an easy run. 97/2
35.5 B Asif to Latham, Landed outside off, a touch short, let through. 96/2
35.4 B Asif to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 96/2
35.3 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, left alone. 96/2
35.2 B Asif to Latham, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 96/2
35.1 B Asif to Latham, Was that an edge? Replays seem to indicate so. Floated outside off, Latham looked to defend but the ball spun away past the outside edge and Sarfraz fumbled. Replays seemed to show that the ball took the edge. 96/2
34.6 Y Shah to Taylor, The slider and it is just around off, Taylor goes back and plays it late towards point. 96/2
34.5 Y Shah to Taylor, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! This is very short and outside off, not the ball you want your bowler to be bowling after bringing in an extra slip fielder. Ross goes back and cuts it through point for a boundary. 96/2
34.4 Y Shah to Taylor, BEAUTY! Not a lot you can do with such deliveries. You as a batsman, just have to hope it misses the outside off. Tosses it up around off, the ball pitches and then turns square. Beats the outside edge of Taylor’s bat. 92/2
34.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Close! Yasir almost bowls him around his legs. This is floated down the leg side, Taylor tries to sweep but misses. The ball goes close past the leg pole. 92/2
34.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Gives it air outside off, Taylor throws his bat at it but finds the fielder at point. Ross has come out with good intent. 92/2
34.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Tosses it up on middle, Taylor defends it. 92/2
Drinks! So new Zealand continue to fight. The session started with Williamson and Latham stitching a 50-run stand. However, New Zealand were dealt with a body blow as Yasir got the better of the Kiwi skipper. Taylor has struggled since he has come out but he is still out there and New Zealand would want the two to continue for as long as possible.
33.6 B Asif to Latham, Floats it up on off, it is defended. 92/2
33.5 B Asif to Latham, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. 92/2
33.4 B Asif to Latham, Gives it air on middle, it is kept out. 92/2
33.3 B Asif to Taylor, Uppish but safe! Another off spinner outside off, this one turns back in. Taylor tries to defend but due to the turn, the ball goes off the inner half, uppishly but past the short leg fielder and down towards square leg for a run. 92/2
33.2 B Asif to Taylor, In the air… but falls short. However, it was off the pads. The off spinner around off, it pitches and comes back in. Hits the pads and lobs over the head of short leg. He does go for it but fails to hold onto it. 91/2
33.1 B Asif to Latham, Full and paddle swept by Latham from the off stump towards the fine leg region for three runs. 91/2
32.6 Y Shah to Taylor, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. 88/2
32.5 Y Shah to Taylor, TOP EDGE, FOUR! Well, if you ain’t picking, better slog. Floated around leg stump, Taylor looks to sweep but gets a top edge. The ball lobs in the air but there is no one in the deep at square leg. A couple of bounces and into the fence. 88/2
32.4 Y Shah to Taylor, Lovely bowling. Slightly slower in pace, pitched outside leg stump, RT looks to defend but the ball turns away past the outside edge. Brilliant. 84/2
32.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Short and outside off, Rosco looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. 84/2
32.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Full on middle, Ross comes down the track and drives it towards mid off. 84/2
32.1 Y Shah to Taylor, FOUR! CREAMED! Short and outside off, Taylor goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! 84/2
31.6 B Asif to Latham, This is tossed up on off, Latham strokes it to mid off. 80/2
Hasan Ali is warming up. Sarfraz might want some change of pace for reverse swing. Also, the light is fading…
31.5 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, left alone. 80/2
31.4 B Asif to Latham, This is floated around off, Latham defends it out. 80/2
31.3 B Asif to Taylor, This is floated around off, it turns back in. Taylor tries to defend but the ball once again goes off the inner half through square leg for a run. 80/2
31.2 B Asif to Taylor, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 79/2
31.1 B Asif to Taylor, Full length and Latham defends on the front foot. 79/2
30.6 Y Shah to Latham, Down the leg side, left alone. 79/2
30.5 Y Shah to Latham, Full and outside off, Latham looks to defend but misses. Is hit on the pads and Pakistan appeal but the impact was outside off. 79/2
30.4 Y Shah to Latham, Around off, spinning in a long way, watchfully defended. 79/2
30.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Around middle, Rosco looks to tuck it square but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through square leg, Bilal Asif puts in a desperate dive at backward square leg but the ball goes through. Three runs taken. 79/2
30.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Another ripper. Pitched outside leg, Taylor looks to defend from the crease but the ball spins past the outside edge. 76/2
30.1 Y Shah to Taylor, Landed around off, the googly, punched towards cover. 76/2
29.6 B Asif to Latham, Shorter of a length and Latham cuts it through point for two. 76/2
29.5 B Asif to Latham, A little too wide outside off, it is left alone. 74/2
29.4 B Asif to Latham, Almost! That was really close. This is tossed up around off and Asif gets some extra bounce on that one. Latham goes back and defends it onto the ground. The ball however, bounces and then spins back, between his legs but luckily for Latham, over the leg pole. That was really close. 74/2
29.3 B Asif to Taylor, Gives it a nice loop, Taylor pushes it it to deepish mid on and scampers across for a run. 74/2
29.2 B Asif to Latham, Charged down the ground and pushes the ball for a single. 73/2
29.1 B Asif to Latham, Short of a length and it is defended on the back foot by Latham. 72/2
28.6 Y Shah to Taylor, Around off, solidly blocked towards cover. 72/2
28.5 Y Shah to Taylor, Peach! What did that hit? Full and around middle, Taylor looked to defend but the ball spun away past the outside edge. Replays show that the noise was of the bat hitting the pad. 72/2
28.4 Y Shah to Latham, Goes back and works it through square leg for a run. 72/2
28.3 Y Shah to Latham, Full and around middle, pushed towards the bowler. 71/2
28.2 Y Shah to Taylor, Outside off, punched through the covers for a single. 71/2
28.1 Shah to Taylor, NOT OUT. Pitched way outside leg. Fuller in length, Taylor looked to paddle but missed. The ball went off his pads through fine leg and Sarfraz and Yasir were busy in appealing. The duo had a chat and after a long deliberation, decided to go for the review. Hawk Eye confirms that it pitched outside leg. 70/2
Another review! This time for LBW! There is a big doubt that this could be pitched outside leg, yet Sarfraz wants a re-check.
27.6 B Asif to Latham, Short of a length and defended on the back foot this time by Latham. 70/2
27.5 B Asif to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 70/2
27.4 B Asif to Latham, Nicely tossed up on off, Latham is solid in defense. This is good by Bilal, needs to consistently hit these lines. 70/2
27.3 B Asif to Latham, Gives it a little more air on off, there is no turn though. Latham blocks it out with ease. 70/2
27.2 B Asif to Latham, On off, it is blocked. 70/2
27.1 B Asif to Latham, Goes on the back foot and pushes it to covers. 70/2
26.6 Y Shah to Taylor, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 70/2
26.5 Y Shah to Taylor, A full toss, flicked through mid-wicket for a brace. 70/2
26.4 Y Shah to Taylor, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 68/2
26.3 Y Shah to Taylor, Straightaway comes down the track, takes it on the full and flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. 68/2
Ross Taylor walks in at number 4, replacing Williamson.
26.2 Y Shah to Williamson, OUT! There is a spike on the Snickometer and Williamson has to go! 10 wickets in the day for Yasir. First ever Pakistan player to do so and just the fourth player ever. Beautiful bowling. Floated around middle, Williamson lunges to defend but the ball spins away, with a noise, to the keeper. There is a massive caught behind appeal but the umpire stays firm. Pakistan have a mini-conference and then signal for the review. It is a wicket for Yasir! Big, big blow. The Kiwis still trail by 262! 66/2
Is that out? Pakistan reckon that Williamson is caught behind. It has not been given and they take the review.
26.1 Y Shah to Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 66/1
25.6 B Asif to Latham, Goes on the back foot and pushes it for a single. 66/1
25.5 B Asif to Latham, Three dots in a row as this is bowled on off, Latham keeps it out. 66/1
25.4 B Asif to Latham, Flatter again on off, Latham goes back and defends it onto the ground. 66/1
25.3 B Asif to Latham, This is slightly shorter on off, Latham goes back and pushes it with the turn to cover-point. 66/1
25.2 B Asif to Latham, Goes on the back foot and pushes it for a single. 66/1
25.1 B Asif to Williamson, Goes on the back foot and pushes it for a single. 66/1
24.6 Y Shah to Latham, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 65/1
24.5 Y Shah to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 65/1
24.4 Y Shah to Latham, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. 65/1
The physio is out in the middle. Imam is not feeling that great. Seems like he is in mild concussion. He is not quite responding well, shaking his head violently. He seems to be okay though.
24.3 Y Shah to Latham, OUCH! Right onto the shoulder. Has Imam taken a contract to get hurt? Full and around middle, Latham gets down and sweeps it powerfully, right on the bounce to short leg. Imam-ul-Haq ducks for cover but the ball hits him flush, just below the helmet. 63/1
24.2 Y Shah to Latham, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 63/1
24.1 Y Shah to Latham, FOUR! Runs coming a bit freely now. 50-RUN STAND IS UP. Nice fightback. A touch short outside off, spinning in, Latham goes back and works it through square leg for a boundary! 63/1
23.6 B Asif to Latham, Goes on the back foot and pushes it for a single. 59/1
23.5 B Asif to Latham, On the stumps, it is kept out. 58/1
23.4 B Asif to Latham, This is bowled outside off and it turns away further. Latham need not play at those. Whatever turn Asif is getting, he is getting on the balls which is pitched outside off so the batsman need not worry about those. 58/1
23.3 B Asif to Latham, Another floated ball on off, it is kept out by Latham. 58/1
23.2 B Asif to Latham, Tosses it up on middle, the batter defends it out. 58/1
23.1 B Asif to Williamson,In the air but safe. Williamson charges down the ground and hits the ball in the air but he is safe as the ball falls short of the fielder. 58/1
22.6 Y Shah to Williamson, Full and outside off, Williamson leans and drives it through the covers for one. 57/1
22.5 Y Shah to Latham, Down the leg side, Latham goes back and works it through square leg for a run. 56/1
22.4 Y Shah to Williamson, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. 55/1
22.3 Y Shah to K Williamson, FOUR! Fine shot. Short and outside off, Williamson rocks back and cuts it past slip towards third man! 54/1
22.2 Y Shah to Williamson, Goes back in his crease and blocks. 50/1
22.1 Y Shah to Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 50/1
21.6 B Asif to Latham, Shortish and outside off, Latham punches it to covers. End of a testing over by Asif. 50/1
21.5 B Asif to Latham, Flighted ball on off, Latham defends it onto the ground. 50/1
21.4 B Asif to Latham, A change goes abegging! Shafiq was late to react. Infact he gets his hands to it but fails to hang on. So it is a dropped catch. This is tossed up on off, tempting the batsman to go for a drive. Latham does go for it as he tries to hit it through covers. The ball turns away, takes the outside edge and goes low towards Shafiq. He is a touch late to get down and the ball brushes his finger tips and goes to the third man region for a brace. He maybe was standing a little too upright, not what you want to be doing on slow wickets where the balls usually don’t carry. A life for Latham. He would want to make use of it. Also, that is the sort of luck you want when you are not amongst the runs. 50/1
21.3 B Asif to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 48/1
21.2 B Asif to Latham, Full length delivery and defnded on the front foot. 48/1
21.1 B Asif to Latham, Tossed up on the off stump and defended on the front foot by Latham. 48/1
20.6 Y Shah to Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. 48/1
20.5 Y Shah to Williamson, FOUR! Bad bowling. Way too short outside off, Williamson rocks back and punches it through the covers for a boundary! 48/1
20.4 Y Shah to Williamson, Short and outside off, punched off the back foot. 44/1
20.3 Y Shah to Williamson, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 44/1
20.2 Y Shah to Williamson, FOUR! Lovely batting. Full on middle, Williamson comes down the track and drives it through mid on for a boundary! 44/1
20.1 Y Shah to Williamson, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. 40/1
Yasir Shah to bowl from the other end.
19.6 B Asif to Latham, A quicker ball to end the over! It is on off and the batter keeps it out. Just a single from the first over after the break. 40/1
19.5 B Asif to Latham, Tosses this slower and around off, Latham leans into it and strokes it to covers. 40/1
19.4 B Asif to Latham, Flatter and on middle, Latham goes back and blocks it out. 40/1
19.3 B Asif to Williamson, This is worked with the turn through mid-wicket and a run is taken. 40/1
19.2 B Asif to Williamson, Charges down the wicket and pushes it for a single towards mid on. 39/1
19.1 B Asif to Williamson, Starts off with a floated delivery on off. Williamson lunges and then blocks it out. 39/1
We are back for the final session of the day. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham will continue from where they left off. Bilal Asif to start the proceedings. Here we go…
… Day 3, Session 3 …
Pakistan only need to be patient. Wickets will come, with the pitch turning square. Join us back at 3.30 pm local (1130 GMT) for a two-and-a-half-hour session.
Better batting from New Zealand in that last hour. They have lost Jeet Raval but have not caved in. In the first hour, they lost 6 wickets, but in the last 60 minutes, they have lost just 1. Runs are not a thought right now – survival of the highest order is the priority.
18.6 H Sohail to Latham, Full and around off, watchfully defended. TEA ON DAY 3, NEW ZEALAND TRAIL BY 289 RUNS! 39/1
18.5 H Sohail to Latham, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 39/1
18.4 H Sohail to Latham, On middle and leg, worked straight to square leg. 39/1
18.3 H Sohail to Latham, Around off, spinning in, worked straight to square leg. 39/1
18.2 H Sohail to Latham, FOUR! Good effort from Hasan but in vain. Around off, spinning in, Latham goes back and works it past leg slip. The ball races and Hasan gives it a good chase from backward square leg. He slides and tries to pull it back near the boundary but while doing so, his right foot touches the ropes. 39/1
Is that a boundary? Hasan Ali has made a sliding stop near the fine leg fence, but while doing so, has his foot touched the ropes? Referred upstairs…
18.1 H Sohail to Williamson, Full on middle, Williamson comes down the track and flicks it wide of mid on for a single. 35/1
17.6 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, Tom goes back to punch off the back foot but the ball spins away and beats the outside edge. 34/1
17.5 B Asif to Latham, Full and around off, Tom comes forward and smothers the spin in front of silly point. 34/1
17.4 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, Tom goes back and punches it to the off side. 34/1
17.3 B Asif to Latham, Full and around off, Latham comes forward and defends in front of silly point. 34/1
17.2 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, punched towards cover. 34/1
17.1 B Asif to Williamson, Full and outside off, punched wide of mid off for a single. 34/1
16.6 H Sohail to Latham, Oohh…. goes back to punch the ball through the off side but the ball spins in a long way, cramps him for room and goes off the inner half of the bat, back to the bowler. 33/1
16.5 H Sohail to Latham, On middle and leg, Tom backs away and plays it towards square leg. 33/1
16.4 H Sohail to Latham, Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. 33/1
16.3 H Sohail to Latham, RISKY SHOT. Full and around off, Latham gets across to paddle but the ball spins in a mile, goes past the glove and beats the keeper too, towards fine leg. Two runs taken. 31/1
16.2 H Sohail to Latham, Around off, watchfully played with the spin back to the bowler. 29/1
16.1 H Sohail to Williamson, Outside off, punched through the covers for a single. 29/1
Haris Sohail to bowl now.
15.6 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, punched straight to point. 28/1
15.5 B Asif to Latham, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 28/1
15.4 B Asif to Williamson, Around middle, Williamson goes back and works it past short leg for a run. 28/1
15.3 B Asif to Latham, Slightly shorter in length, punched through the covers for a single. 27/1
15.2 B Asif to Latham, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 26/1
15.1 B Asif to Latham, Outside off, short in length, punched to cover. 26/1
14.6 Y Shah to Williamson, A bit of a misfield. Full and outside off, Kane drives it through the covers where Azhar gets across to his left from mid off and slides haphazardly. The ball hits his left hand, then bobbles onto his forehead and dribbles away. A couple taken. 26/1
14.5 Y Shah to Williamson, Nicely tossed up around off, Kane lunges and defends solidly. 24/1
14.4 Y Shah to Williamson, On middle and off, driven back to the bowler. 24/1
14.3 Y Shah to Williamson, Fuller in length, spinning away, Williamson comes forward and blocks it towards the off side. 24/1
14.2 Y Shah to Williamson, Short again, punched towards covers once more. 24/1
14.1 Y Shah to Williamson, Short and outside off, punched straight to cover. 24/1
13.6 B Asif to Latham, Around off, solidly defended. 24/1
13.5 B Asif to Latham, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 24/1
13.4 B Asif to Latham, Landed outside off, left alone. 24/1
13.3 B Asif to Latham, Full and outside off, Latham gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the body. 24/1
13.2 B Asif to Williamson, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a run. 24/1
13.1 B Asif to Latham, Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single. 23/1
Bilal Asif is on.
12.6 Y Shah to Williamson, Floated on middle, Williamson flicks it to the leg side but short leg comes in the way. The ball hits his legs and goes back to the keeper. 22/1
12.5 Y Shah to Latham, Tossed up again on leg, Latham flicks it towards the leg side for a single. 22/1
12.4 Y Shah to Williamson, Flighted delivery on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. 21/1
12.3 Y Shah to Williamson, Tossed up on off, the captain blocks it well. 18/1
12.2 Y Shah to Williamson, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. 18/1
12.1 Y Shah to Williamson, On middle, Williamson flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. 18/1
11.6 M Hafeez to Latham, Flighted delivery outside off, the southpaw lets it go. 16/1
11.5 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up on off, the left-hander keeps it out. 16/1
11.4 M Hafeez to Latham, Flighted delivery on middle, Latham comes down the track and hits it to mid on. 16/1
11.3 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up again on middle, Latham defends off the back foot. 16/1
11.2 M Hafeez to Williamson, Flighted delivery on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. 16/1
11.1 M Hafeez to Williamson, Tossed up on off, Williamson blocks it well. 15/1
10.6 Y Shah to Latham, A loopy ball to end the over, Latham gets right behind the line and defends it out. 15/1
10.5 Y Shah to Latham, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. 15/1
10.4 Y Shah to Latham, Now slows it up on middle, Latham works it to mid-wicket with the turn. 15/1
10.3 Y Shah to Latham, Tries to sweep but misses! Flatter and on the leg stump, it spins away even more. Latham goes to sweep but misses. Sarfraz collects it well behind the stumps. 15/1
10.2 Y Shah to Latham, Loopy ball on middle, it is defended. 15/1
10.1 Y Shah to Latham, Excellent delivery! This was the slider outside off, it skids through after pitching. Latham goes back and tries to defend but is beaten by the away angle. 15/1
9.6 M Hafeez to Tom Latham, Tossed up on off, Latham gets an outside edge and it goes past first slip towards third man. The batsmen take a run. 15/1
9.5 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up outside off, the left-hander lets it go. 14/1
9.4 M Hafeez to Latham, FOUR! First four of the innings. Full toss on middle, Latham flicks it through mid on for a boundary. 14/1
9.3 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up on off, the left-hander blocks it well. 10/1
9.2 M Hafeez to Latham, Flighted delivery on middle, Latham keeps it out. 10/1
9.1 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up on middle, Latham defends off the front foot. 10/1
8.6 Y Shah to Williamson, A tossed up delivery to end the over, Williamson prods forward and blocks it out. A wicket maiden by Yasir. 10/1
8.5 Y Shah to Williamson, Flatter and around off, Williamson blocks it out. 10/1
8.4 Y Shah to Williamson, Another loopy ball, Williamson lunges and defends it onto the ground. 10/1
8.3 Y Shah to Williamson, Flighted ball on off, Kane strokes it to covers. 10/1
8.2 Y Shah to Williamson, Flatter and on off, Williamson guides it to point. 10/1
Kane Williamson is the new man in.
8.1 Y Shah to Raval, OUT! And that is why Sarfraz was very confident. Jeet Raval’s foot is on the line and Pakistan have drawn first blood. Who gets the breakthrough? The man who is on fire today, Yasir Shah. This is tossed up outside off, Raval stretches and plays inside the line. The ball skids past the outside edge. Ahmed collects the ball and whips the bails off. He appeals, the umpire takes it upstairs. Raval then asks the leg umpire if he is out but gets no response. Replays roll in and it shows Raval has nothing behind the line. New Zealand lose one with not a lot on the board. They are still trailing by another 318 runs. 10/1
Have Pakistan got their first? An appeal for a stumping has been taken upstairs. Raval is the man in question. Sarfraz is very confident.
7.6 M Hafeez to Latham, Floated again on off, Latham defends off the front foot. 10/0
7.5 M Hafeez to Latham, Flighted delivery on off, the southpaw keeps it out. 10/0
7.4 M Hafeez to Latham, Floated on middle, the left-hander blocks it well. 10/0
7.3 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up on off, Latham looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards first slip. The ball fell short of the fielder. 10/0
7.2 M Hafeez to Latham, Flighted delivery on off, Latham cuts it to point. 10/0
7.1 M Hafeez to Latham, Tossed up on off, Latham defends off the front foot. 10/0
Mohammad Hafeez is into the attack.
6.6 Y Shah to Raval, Floated on off, Raval blocks it well. 10/0
6.5 Y Shah to Raval, Tossed up again on off, the southpaw defends off the front foot. 10/0
6.4 Y Shah to Raval, Flighted delivery on leg, the left-hander flicks it to the leg side. 10/0
6.3 Y Shah to Raval, Turns from middle to down leg, Raval lets it go. 10/0
6.2 Y Shah to Raval, Flighted delivery on off, Raval blocks it well. 10/0
6.1 Y Shah to Latham, Tossed up on middle, Latham flicks it towards square leg for a single. 10/0
Here he comes again. Yasir Shah is the first change.
5.6 H Ali to Raval, Good length delivery on off, the southpaw stands tall and keeps it out. 9/0
5.5 H Ali to Raval, Again on a good length on off, the left-hander blocks it well. 9/0
5.4 H Ali to Raval, Good length delivery on off, Raval keeps it out. 9/0
5.3 H Ali to Latham, Short of a length delivery, Latham flicks it towards the leg side for a single. 9/0
Once again Hasan Ali is stopped midway. He is not happy. No fast bowler will ever be! This time it was a sightscreen issue for Latham.
5.2 H Ali to Latham, Good length and the ball moves outside off and Latham leaves it. 8/0
5.1 H Ali to Latham, Good length delivery on off, Latham gets behind the line and blocks it out. 8/0
4.6 M Abbas to Latham, LEG BYE! Length delivery on leg, Latham flicks it towards the leg side for a single but gets it of the thigh pad. 8/0
4.5 M Abbas to Latham, Good length delivery on middle, the left-hander looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. 7/0
4.4 M Abbas to Latham, Length delivery on off, Latham defends off the back foot. 7/0
4.3 M Abbas to Latham, Good length delivery on off, Latham looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. 7/0
4.2 M Abbas to Latham, Length delivery on middle, the left-hander flicks it to square leg. 7/0
OUT! BOWLED! But Latham is not out. Reason? When he was ready to face the ball to be released by Hasan Ali, a pigeon flew right across. Understandably, Tom was distracted and it was too late for Ali to stop.
4.1 M Abbas to Latham, Good length delivery on off, Latham defends off the front foot. 7/0
3.6 H Ali to Raval, Third consecutive leave for Raval. Good length delivery outside off, Jeet Raval shoulders his arms to this one. 7/0
3.5 H Ali to Raval, Again on a good length outside off, the southpaw lets it go. 7/0
3.4 H Ali to Raval, Good length delivery outside off, the left hander offers no shot. 7/0
3.3 H Ali to Raval, Length delivery on off, Raval cuts it to point. 7/0
3.2 H Ali to Raval, BEATEN! Good length delivery again outside off, Raval looks to defend but gets beaten on this one. 7/0
Hasan Ali seems to have a problem with the landing area. The hammer is out to level the area there.
3.1 H Ali to Raval, Good length delivery outside off, Raval lets it go. 7/0
2.6 M Abbas to Raval, Angles it into the batter, Raval tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg for a run. 7/0
2.5 M Abbas to Raval, Too wide to make the batsman play. 6/0
2.4 M Abbas to Raval, Closer to the off pole, Raval gets right behind the line and defends it onto the ground. 6/0
2.3 M Abbas to Raval, This time he bowls it a little too wide outside off, Raval need not play at those. 6/0
2.2 M Abbas to Raval, BEATEN! Excellent use of the angle by Abbas. We have seen him get Raval in such manner previously. This is around off and it slants away. Raval plays inside the line and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. 6/0
2.1 M Abbas to Raval, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 6/0
1.6 H Ali to Latham, Good length delivery on leg, Latham blocks it well. 6/0
1.5 H Ali to Latham, Full outside off, the southpaw drives it to covers. 6/0
1.4 H Ali to Latham, Another good leave by Latham. Again on a good length outside off, the batsman lets it go. 6/0
1.3 H Ali to Latham, Good length delivery outside off, Latham offers no shot. 6/0
1.2 H Ali to Latham, BYES! Bowls down the leg side, Latham goes after it but misses and the keeper misses and it goes towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. 6/0
1.1 H Ali to Latham, Outside off, Latham fishes but misses. 4/0
0.6 M Abbas to Latham, HALF HEARTED APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Length delivery on middle, Raval looks to defend but gets hit on the pads. The batsmen get a single. 4/0
0.5 M Abbas to Latham, Length delivery on leg, the batsman flicks it towards square leg. Two runs taken. 3/0
0.4 M Abbas to Latham, Length delivery on off, Latham looks to drive but gets a bottom edge on that one. 1/0
0.3 M Abbas to Latham, Again on a good length outside off, Latham offers no shot. 1/0
0.2 M Abbas to Raval, Length delivery on leg, Raval flicks it towards fine leg for a single. 1/0
0.1 M Abbas to Raval, Beautiful delivery to start with. Good length delivery outside off, Raval lets it go.
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