Pakistan crush NZ in opening Test

Pakistan continued to dominate at their adopted home in the United Arab Emirates by defeating New Zealand by 248 runs in the opening Test of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi.

Starting the day needing two wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series, Pakistan dismissed the visitors for 231 in the second-innings on the fifth morning.

New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi (63) showed plenty of resilience to notch his second half century in Tests but was the last man to fall, out leg-before to paceman Imran Khan.

Fresh from inflicting a 2-0 defeat on Australia, Pakistan have continued their dominance against New Zealand, all three wins coming without their two main strike bowlers – banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and injured paceman Junaid Khan.

The victory against New Zealand also made Misbah-ul-Haq the most successful Pakistan captain with 15 wins, ahead of Javed Miandad and Imran Khan on 14.

Hafeez reported

Meawnhile, Mohammad Hafeez has become the latest off-spinner to be reported for a suspect bowling action, the International Cricket Council said.

The 34-year-old all-rounder was reported by the match officials during the first Test.

As per regulations, Hafeez, who took a wicket in New Zealand’s second-innings, can continue bowling but has to get his action tested within 21 days.

Hafeez’s teammate and fellow off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is currently under suspension for an illegal bowling action.

Other off-spinners Sachithra Senanayake (Sri Lanka), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Prosper Utseya (Zimbabwe), Sohag Gazi (Bangladesh) have all been reported in recent months as governing body ICC is trying to cleanse the game off bowlers with dodgy actions.