Kiwis dead and buried in Abu Dhabi

– Pakistan produced another ruthless performance to move to the brink of victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

A ninth-wicket stand of 36 in 14.5 overs between Mark Craig (27) and Ish Sodhi (27) delayed Pakistan’s victory on the fourth day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium but

Abu Dhabi

New Zealand were struggling on 174/8 after being set a daunting target of 408.

Pakistan need just two wickets on the final day for a 1- 0 lead in the threematch series while New Zealand still need 306 for an unlikely win on the fi fth and final day.

Spinners Zulfiqar Babar (2/30) and Yasir Shah (2/49) and seamer Rahat Ali (2/38) destroyed the New Zealand batting.

Earlier Mohammad Hafeez hit an unbeaten 101 to help Pakistan declare their second innings on 175/2 before the bowlers took over and skittled the Kiwis.

The second Test starts in Dubai on November 17. –