Pakistan race to win against NZ

New Zealand collapse at 110 in the second innings, setting the visitors a victory total of just 19 runs.

New Zealand v Pakistan - First Test: Day 3
undefined

New Zealand batsmen were mainly troubled by Abdul Rehman, the stand-in  Pakistan spinner [GALLO/GETTY]

Pakistan raced to a convincing 10-wicket victory in the first Test over New Zealand inside three days after being set a winning target of just 19 runs in their second innings.

They bowled the Kiwis out for just 110 in their second innings after the tea break, having established a 92-run first innings lead earlier on Sunday.

Abdul Rehman, left-arm spinner, was again the main tormentor of New Zealand’s batsmen, as he claimed three wickets for 24 runs, putting enormous pressure on the Kiwis.

Rahman was named the man of the match.

Wahab Riaz, left-arm pace bowler, ended with three for 38, while Umar Gul finished off the tail with three for 28.

And as Pakistan’s second innings started, Mohamammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar wrapped up the victory in just 22 balls to score 21 without loss, securing a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The second Test begins in Wellington next Saturday.

Good bowling performance

New Zealand had gone to tea at 33 for no loss, however they crumbled after the break, losing seven wickets for 35 runs.

Tim McIntosh was three-time lucky when he was dropped by Taufeeq Umar at first slip off Umar Gul and survived two confident lbw appeals before tea.

But he was the first to go when he was stumped by Adnan Akmal for three off Rehman.

Brendon McCullum was next to lose his wicket, when he was given caught behind by umpire Rod Tucker for 35. Television replays, however, showed he had not hit the ball with the delivery deflecting off his thigh pad.

Coincidentally McCullum was given not out in the first innings when replays suggested that the ball had brushed his gloves.

The umpire review system is not being used in the series.

New Zealand batting order then collapsed as Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, all were dismissed for the addition of a total of only one run, at 61 for six.

Misbah ul-Haq, Pakistan captain acknowledged his bowlers’s excellent performance saying that, “The wicket was a bit flat, a bit slow and it wasn’t easy to get the batsmen out here but the bowlers did a fantastic job and they won the match today.”

“While we will always be disappointed to be bowled out like that, I think you do have to sit back and say it was a good bowling performance,” Daniel Vettori, New Zealand captain said. 

Pakistan had been bowled out for 367 in their first innings, 92 runs ahead of New Zealand who were dismissed for 275 early on Saturday .

New Zealand took two wickets in two balls during the first session when Asad Shafiq who scored 83 and Misbah-ul-haq with a total of 62, were both given out lbw with the score on 256.

The pair had rescued the visitors on Saturday after they slumped to 107 for four

The Pakistani tail enders, however, put on a 76-run partnership before Akmal contributed 44 and Rehman 28, were both dismissed with the score on 332.

Gul and Tanvir Ahmed then further frustrated the New Zealand bowling attack with a 33-run partnership before Vettori trapped Gul in front for 17.

Tanvir was the last man out for 18 when he was caught by Tim Southee off Chris Martin while Wahab remained not out at nought.

New Zealand’s Brent Arnel finished with career-best figures of four for 95. 

Source: News Agencies