Black Caps bullish after showing backbone against Pakistan in UAE
New Zealand are feeling confident after they ended day one of the final and crucial Test against Pakistan on 229 for seven, according to Jeet Raval.
The Black Caps opener was talking after the tourists recovered from 72 for four to eke past the 200-mark and Raval predicted anything over 250 will be a competitive score.
“(Batting is only) going to get harder and harder,” the batsman, who scored 45 before falling to the spin of Yasir Shah, said.
“I think we got a decent score in the first innings and add a few more tomorrow morning, and then put Pakistan under pressure in their first innings.
“Obviously we want to score as much as possible. Around 250-plus will be awesome.”
New Zealand came into the Test on the back of a humbling innings and 16-run defeat in Dubai — mostly down to the brilliant bowling of Yasir who recorded his Test best figures of 14 for 184. Having won the toss, skipper Kane Williamson elected to bat and before the end of the first session the Black Caps looked to be in trouble. Having been 70 for one, three quick Yasir wickets meant they fell to 72 for four. But Williamson’s men showed the fight that was lacking in the second Test as he and BJ Watling put on a fifthwicket stand of 104 in 249 balls.
Williamson struck seven boundaries but these were the bright points in a day when defence came first.
The normally robust and aggressive Kiwi captain curbed his attacking instincts as he attempted to carve out a first innings that might give his side some leverage in the match. The scoring rarely got above two an over.
Watling also dug in and the pair batted right through the middle session. Williamson passed 50 in a Test for the 46th time but he was not able to convert his innings into another hundred. Having reached 89 off 176 balls, he mistimed a clip off Hasan Ali shortly after tea and found a happy Asad Shafiq taking the catch at short midwicket.
Colin de Grandhomme (20) and Tim Southee (two) did not last long but Watling showed calm and patience to still be there at the close having scored 41 off 180 balls. And it is that innings that has Raval quietly confident that the pitch is only going to get tougher to score on.
“I think the boys did a fantastic job today, and hopefully BJ and ( William) Somerville (12 not out), on his debut, can carry on the good work when they resume their innings,” Raval said.
“As the game goes on the pitch is going to be more variable and hopefully that works to our advantage, especially if have to bowl last on this wicket.
“If we can give them a good score to chase I’m sure we’ll be in a good position in the fourth innings.”
Yasir started the day as he finished the second Test, with a flurry of wickets.
The spin king came into the clash needing only five wickets to become the quickest bowler to reach 200 Test scalps. The record is currently 36 Tests, set 82 years ago by Australian legspinner Clarrie Grimmett.
Yasir ended the day with three for 62 but was then thwarted by the belligerence of Williamson and Watling and will look to wrap up the innings as soon as possible.