Patient Sohail gets century against NZ
AUCKLAND: Haris Sohail moved through from 81 to bring up his second test century for Pakistan on the second day of the second test against New Zealand in Dubai yesterday.
At lunch, Sohail was on 110 from 337 balls, the sixthslowest century in tests for Pakistan and the slowest in six years.
Sohail looked decidedly jittery when one run from completing a deserved hundred, charging down the wicket to several deliveries from New Zealand legspinner Ish Sodhi without getting to the pitch of the ball.
It was only a rushed single that got him there before he was able to revert to type. PAKISTAN First innings
Babar Azam moved through to 52 as the Black Caps were unable to make a breakthrough before lunch.
Pakistan added 67 in the first session as the second day followed the pattern of the first. That was slow — very slow — but Pakistan blocked, nudged and eventually played its way into a strong position on day one. Then it nearly threw the hard grind away, in the process giving the Black Caps a timely late boost that their early efforts ultimately deserved.
An interminable 126run partnership off 368 balls between Azhar Ali and Sohail was plodding and unconvincing for large portions, but did the job as Pakistan recovered from 25 for two.
Pakistan then produced a tragic runout and a mindless slog in the final session, losing two wickets to give the Black Caps a late reward.
Azhar was the runout victim, going for a quick single. It was his call, but Sohail was statuesque, leaving Azhar to attempt a threepoint turn in the middle of the pitch. A good throw from substitute fielder Tim Southee found him short of his crease, and 187 balls of graft was cruelly culled.
Asad Shafiq did not last nearly as long, being drawn into a rash shot by Ajaz Patel. His attempted hoik looped off the top edge to Neil Wagner at backward point, leaving Sohail and Babar Azam with a tricky period with the new ball to negotiate before stumps. Pakistan finished day one at 107 for four.
Led by the underpressure Colin de Grandhomme, the New Zealand bowlers were superb in the start of their quest for backtoback victories, with only some extreme luck saving Pakistan from being in further trouble than 25 for two.
With his spot in the side rightly under pressure after a serious batting slump, de Grandhomme was supported by the selectors, and proved he can still produce with the ball, taking two early wickets. — NZME