Cricket Update: Pakistan gains the upper hand on 2nd Day against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754
The second day started with New Zealand resuming their innings, 260 runs on board and seven wickets down. Pakistan, although couldn’t fully avail their chance of bowling out the Kiwis for a very low score, were exhilarated by the performance of their bowlers,
particularly in the 2nd and 3rd session of day 1. This was on a dry wicket that promised a lot of runs.
On the crease were Tim Southee and Kane Williamson who had put on a brave partnership of 83 runs for the 8th wicket on Day 1, a feat that prevented Pakistan from taking complete command in the match. But, Southee fell on the third ball of the
2nd day. A well-aimed bouncer from Umar Gul was enough to break Southee’s defence. Williamson, playing on his home ground and batting with perseverance and chivalry, followed his partner soon, in the sixth over of the day, again thanks to a bouncer,
this time from the right-arm pacer Tanvir Ahmad, who is playing his second test match. The last Kiwi wicket fell not so late. Tanvir Ahmad brought his tally to four wickets after a short delivery was fallaciously pulled by Brent Arnel. Instead, it caught the
top edge and an easy catch for the fielder on mid-on. The total was 275.
For the Pakistani side, Mohammad Hafeez and Taufiq Umar came to bat in. If http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was feeling overjoyed at their success in the bowling department, it was immediately subdued by the wicket of Hafeez, who tried to play a half volley towards the cover, instead
the ball carried over to McIntosh on the second slip. Chris Martin had struck in the first over. No runs on board, one wicket down. It was another shaky start for the Pakistani side.
Taufiq Umar and number 3, Azhar Ali, kept their wits and guided Pakistan to 67/1 at Lunch, trailing by 208 runs. They had managed to shift the balance of pressure towards the Kiwis once again. Umar was particularly aggressive as he punished the bowlers repeatedly,
his favourite region being midwicket. Azhar Ali, too, played steadily to take his score to 23. By Lunch, Pakistan had gained the upper hand once again, by quickly regaining their posture after an early loss.
After lunch, Azhar Ali departed with adding just one run to his score of 23. He was surprised by a short delivery from Martin; edge and caught. Younis Khan took the crease, soon after, Taufiq Umar followed Azhar Ali, after a simple catch to Williamson on
midwicket. He scored 54 runs. Younis Khan was brimming with confidence. He played aggressively, hitting five fours in just about twenty deliveries. But his stay on the wicket was cut short by a full length delivery from Arnel, aimed towards the leg and middle
stump. Younis tried to flick it towards midwicket, but it caught the leading edge and an easy catch for Arnel.
Pakistan were tumbling at 107/4, still 168 runs behind. On the crease were Asad http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shafiq-c89281 and the skipper, Misbah ul Haq. They played sensibly and with a cool head. Initially, they were careful as to not lose their wickets as well. Runs were slow to come by.
But towards the end of the session, their confidence was somewhat exalted. They survived the dangerous Lunch session and went to tea with high hopes. In the final session of the day, the Kiwis were further frustrated by the batsmen, as they kept pushing the
score while successfully saving their wickets. At the end of the day, Misbah was at 50 and Shafiq at 74, and the partnership was of 128 runs. Pakistan ended the day on high note; they were 235/4, trailing by 40 runs, and six wickets in hand. The duo being
the last recognize pair at the crease, must pose on a formidable lead on the third day to gain a competitive advantage and a solid edge in the opening test.
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