Legspinner Yasir derails NZ innings

AUCKLAND: The Black Caps’ hopes of a second straight test victory appeared to have been shattered by Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah in a single over before lunch last night.

A 50run between Jeet Raval and Tom Latham ended after Raval dragged the ball back on to the stumps off Yasir, but the real magic was yet to happen.

In the penultimate over of the innings, the legspinner took complete control, ripping through the defences of Latham, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls to leave New Zealand tottering at 63 for four.

Centuries to Haris Sohail and Babar Azam had put Pakistan in control at stumps at the end of the second day of the second test in Dubai. Pakistan declared its first innings at 418 for five then New Zealand got to stumps at 24 without loss.

Coming into day two, the Black Caps were just two good deliveries away from exposing the lengthy Pakistani tail. Instead, it was Pakistan which exposed New Zealand’s weaknesses, with Sohail (147) and Azam (127 not out) underlining their potential with a punishing partnership which put New Zealand on the ropes.

With the pitch expected to play into the hands of the team bowling last, the odds are against New Zealand.

The Black Caps were much less threatening on day two. Colin de Grandhomme could not repeat his superb spell to start the test, Neil Wagner was tidy but rarely threatened, and the Black Caps spinners showed why there should still be question marks over their wickettaking abilities when the pitch conditions are not incredibly favourable.

Pakistan’s declaration was a surprise. Its slow run rate — 2.5 an over — meant its declaration total was not as intimidating as it could have been. — NZME/ Cricinfo