PAKISTAN SEIZE CONTROL OF ABU DHABI TEST
Twin five-for from spinner Yasir Shah and pacer Hasan Ali gave Pakistan the upper hand in the first Test match against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier on Day Three, New Zealand were in command courtesy 112-run stand between Bradley-John Watling and Henry Nicholls, and 86-run Kane Williamson-Jeet Raval partnership but Yasir-Hasan combo felled six wickets for 29 runs restricting a fourth innings target to 176.
In reply, Pakistan openers Imam Ul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez reduced the deficit with carefree eight overs of batting at close of play.
New Zealand’s destiny was in their own hands while resuming on an overnight score of 56.
Trailing Pakistan by 18 runs, skipper Kane Williamson and Jeet Raval had the right intent and approach. Raval struck Yasir Shah for boundaries as Kiwis erased Pakistan’s first innings lead.
There were no early wickets and pacer Mohammad Abbas was replaced by Hasan. But skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s persisted with Yasir and it paid off as the leg spinner clipped the prized wicket of Williamson (37). New man Ross Taylor didn’t waste time and blasted Yasir for three boundaries on way to New Zealand’s 100.
New batters Bradley-John Watling and Henry Nicholls once settled kept scoreboard ticking and took odd boundaries to push the lead. The determined New Zealanders played the waiting game and both reached their fifties.
However, in the post tea session, Yasir turned tables in three consecutives overs. In 90th over, the spinner had Nicholls (55) caught behind while sweeping.
In his next over, Yasir had Colin De Grandhomme leg before wicket.
In 94th over, he trapped Watling (59) and then took his fifth wicket by pinning Neil Wagner. New Zealand dived from 220 for five to 227 for eight.
Hitting the final nails, Hasan bowled Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult to complete his maiden five-wicket haul.
Watling said New Zealand had aimed to set 250-run target to defend but hope to put pressure through early wickets on fourth day. “This is going to be a tough ask. We would have liked bit more of lead but there’s enough out there. There’s turn there, from straight and rough.
“It is bit lower and slower, and few cracks. We will come back with plenty of energy and good attitude to put Pakistan under pressure.”
Meanwhile, Hasan is confident that with two days left in the match batsmen will deliver the goods.