Pakistan regain initiative after Mohammad Hafeez strikes
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 356 & 227/5
Pakistan 376
Pakistan regained the initiative on day four of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864 test through a double strike by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez that left the hosts 5 down in their second innings, and in the process, stuffed out the momentum gained by the hosts as they bid to
win the match and draw the two match series.
Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 9 for no loss, the hosts started to blaze away through the partnership between Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum. The pair went about the task of accumulating runs, adding 120 at a healthy run rate.
Pakistan struck when left arm spinner Abdul Rehman enticed the opener to hit the ball in the air. The aim was to hit the ball out of the park yet McCullum succeeded in lofting it in the hands of Tanveer Ahmed, who took a fine catch. McCullum’s innings of
64 came off 111 balls and included 6 fours and 1 six.
The tourists had another wicket coming their way when Kane Williamson was caught behind by Adnan Akmal off Tanveer after making 15 runs off 43 balls his innings included 2 fours.
Martin Guptill was sent packing by Rehman at the same total leaving the hosts 166/3, a lead of 146 at that stage.
His demise meant that the hosts were forced on the back foot and their search for quick runs, in order to set Pakistan a challenging target on the final day, took a blow.
Pakistan also got rid of the attacking left-handed batsman Jessie Ryder who couldn't handle a ball that straightened after pitching. Ryder was Hafeez’s first scalp as the player walked to the pavilion scoring 17 runs off 23 balls.
Hafeez had more success coming his way when James Franklin was caught by Younis Khan in the slips region for 6 runs off 12 balls.
At this stage the hosts were 208/5, a lead of 188 over the tourists. New Zealand now leads http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 by 207 runs and have an hour’s play left on day four as they push for a substantial target for the comfortably placed tourists.
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