Boult leads Black Caps’ fightback

The Black Caps have a pulse in the first test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, but it will be another day at least before they can begin to dream of a win.

Trying to fight their way back into the contest after crumbling for 153 in their first innings on Friday, they dismissed Pakistan for 227 shortly after tea on Saturday, leaving themselves with a deficit of 74 to wipe out.

When bad light brought an early end to proceedings, it was down to 18, with Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson not out, on 26 and 27 respectively, and the team 56-1.

Trent Boult led the way as the Black Caps produced a disciplined performance with the ball, and he and the rest of the bowlers will be hoping the batsmen give them a decent rest before they’re asked to try to win the game.

The Black Caps’ two wickets on the first afternoon came as a pair, six balls between them with Pakistan on 27, and it was a similar story with the two they managed on the second morning. This time they came five balls apart, with Pakistan on 91.

Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali had looked largely untroubled until then, resuming against the medium pace of Colin de Grandhomme and left-arm spin of Ajaz Patel, who were tidy but relatively harmless.

When Boult took over, things began to happen, but it was leg spinner Ish Sodhi who struck first, albeit with a full toss, which Sohail hit straight to Tom Latham at midwicket on 28.

Boult then had Ali caught behind for 22, with BJ Watling diving to his right and taking it one-handed, bringing relief to Jeet Raval, who dropped him at midwicket when he was on 20.

At Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi: Black Caps 153 & 56-1 met Pakistan 227 all out (Babar Azam 62; Trent Boult 4-54).