Pakistan draws against New Zealand to earn first series win in 4 years
Pakistan secured a hard fought draw against New Zealand to win their first test series in over 4 years. The men in green were tempted to go for a win, but some early wickets ended their aspirations in the first session, and it was clear that they were content
with a draw. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 continued his excellent form and led the Pakistan resistance. He was well supported by Younis Khan, who completed his 2nd half century of the match.
Pakistan started the final day chasing a target of 274 runs, which meant they would have to score at merely 3 runs per over throughout the day to get to their target. The opening duo of Muhammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar certainly came out with the intention
of chasing down the target. The very first shot that Hafeez played sent a clear message to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754- the right hander slashed hard at the first ball, and saw it fly over the slips and down to the boundary for four. The next over, though, saw Taufeeq Umar
trapped plum in front on the very first ball by Tim Southee. Next man in was Azhar Ali. The right hander is typically a steady player; he scored 10 from 22 balls before being given LBW off the bowling of Chris Martin. The next wicket also fell soon after,
as Muhammad Hafeez’s disappointing Test series ended with a score of 32. He was caught in the slips by Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 off the bowling of Chris Martin.
The two senior men, Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq got together to shoulder the responsibility of salvaging at least a draw for their team in the deciding match. The first session ended with Pakistan at 81 for 3, needing 193 more runs to win. In the 2nd
session, Younis and Misbah consolidated the innings and hopes started to rise again. Midway through the 2nd session, all 3 results in the game were still possible, but it was becoming clearer that Pakistan would now be aiming for a draw.
Younis Khan was looking good driving skillfully through the covers, but the former captain played one drive too many edging one to the keeper for 81, off the bowling of Tim Southee. The Kiwis must have smelled a way back in the game with the departure of
Younis, but the next man in, young Asad Shafiq, did well to put on a solid 5th wicket stand with Misbah. The pair were together for more than 25 overs and added 55 runs for the 5th wicket. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shafiq-c89281 was dismissed for a hard earned 24 from
85 balls; he was given LBW off the bowling of Daniel Vettori. By then, the fate of the match was all but decided. Wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal walked in next and blocked everything that came his way. After 92 overs, the two captains finally decided to shake hands
and call it a draw. Mibah was unbeaten on 70 and had been at the crease for more than 5 hours. The captain was also named man of the match. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 won the two match Test series 1-0, and now the focus of both the teams will shift to the 6 match ODI series,
that will begin next week.
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