130/4 to 171 all out, Kiwi Patel spins Pak’s doom
ABUDHABI: Debutant spinner Ajaz Patel took five wickets to lead a never-say-die approach from New Zealand bowlers as they pulled off a thrilling four-run win over an indisciplined Pakistan in the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Defending a modest 176-run target, New Zealand bowlers led by Patel (5-59), fast bowler Neil Wagner (2-27) and Ish Sodhi (2-37) bowled out Pakistan for 171 on a drama-packed fourth day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
It is the fifth smallest win in terms of runs in Test history and gives New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Azhar Ali fought a lone battle for Pakistan with 65 and was the last man out when he was trapped leg-before by Patel. He reviewed the decision but television replays upheld the decision.
Resuming on 37 without loss, Pakistan began the day as favourites to chase down the 176 they needed for victory although New Zealand will have taken some hope from Pakistan’s failure at the same ground last year to chase 136 against Sri Lanka.
Kiwi spinners Patel and Ish Sodhi opened the bowling and immediately caused problems as Pakistan lost three wickets in the first six overs.
Imam-ul-Haq was trapped legbefore for 27 to a full length ball by left-arm spinner Patel in the fifth over. In the sixth, Sodhi had Mohammad Hafeez caught in the covers and then three balls later held on to a return catch low to his left as Haris Sohail drove a full toss back at him.
Pakistani nerves were eased by the sight of Azhar and Asad Shafiq rebuilding the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 82. Shafiq made 45 but his dismissal in the last over before lunch, changed the game as Pakistan lost their final seven wickets for just 41.
Brief scores: New Zealand 153 & 249 bt Pakistan 227 & 171 all out in 58.4 ovs (A Ali 65, A Shafiq 45, A Patel 5/59) by four runs.