Pakistan remains in box seat while Black Caps follow on
DUBAI: New Zealand lost established batsmen Ross Taylor and Tom Latham before reaching 222 for four at lunch on the fourth day of the second cricket test against a dominant Pakistan in Dubai yesterday.
Resuming at 131 for two after being forced to follow on, New Zealand still trailed by 106, with Henry Nicholls not out on 31 alongside B.J. Watling (16).
Legspinner Yasir Shah (two for 111) bowled 16 wicketless overs in the morning session, while fast bowler Hasan Ali (one for 15) and Bilal Asif (one for 47) made the breakthroughs.
Shah took 10 wickets on the third day that included careerbest eight wickets for 41 to dismiss New Zealand for just 90 in the first innings.
But Shah bowled either too full or too short to challenge New Zealand in the first session yesterday.
Hasan provided the breakthrough when Latham (50) was contentiously adjudged caught behind soon after completing his half century.
Onfield umpire Paul Reiffel thought Latham had edged Hasan and went to third umpire Ian Gould to confirm through television replays.
Spikes did appear on replay technology as the ball passed the bat when Latham played a defensive shot close to his front pad.
However, the batsman walked off the field in disbelief.
Latham’s demise after he struck four boundaries in his 158ball knock ended an 80run thirdwicket stand with Taylor.
Two balls later Nicholls successfully reviewed an lbw decision against him, as TV replays showed Hasan’s delivery would have missed the leg stump.
Taylor (82) completed his halfcentury off 54 balls when he drove Hasan through the point boundary off the first ball of the day.
The veteran then went on the defensive until he played a reckless sweep 30 minutes before lunch and and topedged offspinner Asif to deep backward square.
Taylor’s halfcentury featured seven fours and a six and came off 128 balls.
New Zealand leads the threematch series 10 after narrowly winning the first test by four runs. — AP