New Zealand vs Pakistan, First Test: Test cricket is up and running

Pakistan second innings

Ajaz Patel on his debut has won the match for New Zealand

At the end of play on day 3, Pakistan finished in a comfortable position at 37 for no loss needing another 139 runs for a win.

When play resumed on the fourth day, Pakistan were confident of going past the New Zealand score. That was when the fifth collapse happened with Pakistan losing 3 wickets for the addition of 7 runs to their overnight score.

But an 82 run partnership between Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq for the fourth wicket brought Pakistan much closer to the target. In the last over before lunch, Pakistan were almost through with 46 runs to achieve with 7 wickets in hand. Both Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq were firmly entrenched at the wicket on 40 and 46 respectively.

The last over before lunch was bowled by Neil Wagner. After testing both Ali and Shafiq with innumerable bouncers, Wagner suddenly changed his line and pitched one up. Shafiq was not expecting this change as he nicked one behind the wicket. That was the breakthrough that New Zealand were looking for.

Babar Azam Azhar Ali were busy scoring runs after lunch that the target was reduced to 29 runs with 6 wickets in hand. That was when the final collapse of the match happened.

After his brilliant show in the first innings, Babar Azam reached 13 quickly before Azhar Ali forced him to run for a non-existing single which resulted in Babar’s run-out at the non-striker’s end. Lest Azhar Ali’s involvements in run-outs, he has got as big a reputation as that of an Inzamam-ul-Haq.

That was the bit of fortune New Zealand were praying for. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed joined Azhar Ali as Pakistan needed 22 runs with 5 wickets in hand.

The Pakistan captain decided to score all the remaining runs needed for a win all by himself. He played a horrendous sweep shot which was held by the keeper. One thought he would get away with it when the on-field umpire gave that not out. But a clever review by New Zealand showed a lit bit of glove involved and Sarfraz had to depart.

Suddenly the Pakistan fans were nervous. Pakistan, traditionally a superior bowling unit, had a poor record with the bat while chasing. Both Neil Wagner and Patel bowled non-stop at either end. Azhar Ali played out a maiden to Wagner.

Ajaz Patel struck at the other end, courtesy another poor hoick by Bilal Asif without understanding the situation of the game. In the next over, Wagner removed Yasir Shah for a duck and Pakistan still needed 21 runs with 2 wickets in hand.

The new batsman Hasan Ali was in no mood to stick around with Azhar Alia as he tried to play big shots at every ball he faced. With a boundary and a couple, Azhar Ali reduced the target to 12 runs.

Hasan Ali finally succumbed to his temptation when he found Tim Southee at deep mid-wicket to precision. With 12 needed for a win and one wicket in hand, Azhar Ali finally started farming the strike with the last man, Mohammad Abbas. In the process, he had to refuse so many singles in the first four balls of the over which could have been the difference in the end.

Azhar Ali managed to farm the strike for 7 consecutive overs which produced 7 singles. Now Pakistan were just one strike away from a win. In between, New Zealand had an unsuccessful review against Mohammad Abbas which added more drama to the proceedings.

Pakistan needed 5 runs and New Zealand one wicket. All three results were possible at that stage. Patel, who has been bowling so well on his debut, trapped Azhar Ali in front of the wicket and the umpire gave that out. As expected, Azhar Ali went for the review and it came down as umpire’s call. That brought an end to a sensational Test match which New Zealand won by 4 runs.

Ajaz Patel was the player of the match on his debut.