Napier: In the first Test against New Zealand, the visiting team gave Pakistan a target of 373 runs to win, in response to which the batting line of the national team is facing difficulties.
In reply to New Zealand’s 431 in the first innings of the Mount Mangnoi Test, Pakistan scored 239 in the first innings to give the hosts a 192-run lead while the Kiwis scored 180 for five in the second innings. Declared the innings and gave Pakistan a difficult target of 373 runs to win.
Fifty for Mohammad Rizwan and what a fighting knock this has been from the Pakistan skipper ?#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/juMYivMKR1
— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2020
When the national team batsmen came on the field to bat in the second innings, Tim Southee and Trent Bolt sent both openers Shaun Masood and Abid Ali back to the pavilion without opening an account, after which Haris Sohail failed in the second innings and scored 9 runs. After making it, the pavilions returned. At the end of the fourth day, Azhar Ali was on 34 and Fawad Alam was on 21.
Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out for 431 in the first innings of the Mount Manganui Test, with Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson top-scoring with 129, while BJ Watling (73), Ross Taylor (70) and Henry Nichols (56) were the top scorers. Were out For the national team, Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4 wickets, Yasir Shah took 3 wickets while Faheem Ashraf, Muhammad Abbas and Naseem Shah took one wicket each.
Faheem Ashraf falls after making a career-best 91 and Pakistan are all out for 239.
— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2020
Outstanding effort from Ashraf ?#NZvPAK SCORECARD ? https://t.co/LMlsERb5mp pic.twitter.com/XUsKx8MIMX
Pakistan’s batting line faltered badly and the top order failed completely. At one point, Pakistan’s 6 wickets fell to 80 runs, Shaun Masood 10, Azhar Ali 5, Haris Sohail 3, Fawad Alam 9 and Abid Ali could only make 25 runs. However, captain Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf batted responsibly and saved the team from follow-on. Both were dismissed for 71 and 91 respectively.
A crucial 107-run partnership was formed between captain Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf during which both the batsmen showed responsibility and scored half-centuries but unfortunately Mohammad Rizwan was run out after scoring 71 runs. For New Zealand, Tim Southee, Trent Bolt and Kyle Jameson took 2.2 wickets each while Neil Wagner took one wicket.