Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali’s five-wicket hauls in the third innings ensured a workable target of 176 runs for Pakistan in the first Test in Abu Dhabi. Imam-ul-Haq, unbeaten on 25 off 23 balls, came out all guns blazing in the chase to ensure Pakistan don’t wilt during the short eight-over period towards the end of day’s play. The hosts, with all ten wickets intact, need a further 139 runs on Day 4 for a one-nil lead in the series.
New Zealand threatened setting a much bigger target, mainly thanks to a 112-run partnership for the fifth wicket that saw Pakistan endure a wicketless afternoon session. Henry Nicholls brought up his sixth half-century in Tests, and BJ Watling his 15th in a defiant partnership that was themed around cautious recovery; only 66 runs were scored in 30 overs after lunch and all Pakistan could count for chances were a couple of close shaves at short leg off Yasir.
Despite a lively pitch on offer, things went dormant for Pakistan with the old ball in the second session, which was quite opposite to the first, when spin and reverse swing called the shots. Yasir Shah’s dream dismissal of Kane Williamson, when he was bowled trying to defend, set things in motion early. Ross Taylor’s counterattacking innings, which saw him hit Yasir for three boundaries in an over, was put to an end by Hasan Ali, who picked Jeet Raval’s wicket in the same over in an attractive display of reverse swing.
While Taylor was pinned LBW by Hasan Ali, Raval’s dismissal — edging behind off a fast bowler from round the wicket in an unwanted throwback to the first innings, when he was taken down by Mohammad Abbas — tended to mask how improved he was with his footwork against spin, and against Yasir Shah in particular.
It was Yasir again who produced the breakthrough in the third session, when Pakistan looked in danger of chasing something above 200. Henry Nicholls was superbly caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed, who held onto a dying under-edge coming off a miscued sweep shot, and that opened the floodgates for New Zealand. Yasir went on to pick four wickets in three overs and registered his 14th five-wicket haul. Ish Sodhi puffed up the target with a 27-ball 18 but Hasan Ali put an end to that en route to his career-best figures of 5 for 45.
Pakistan are historically renowned to botch run-chases, and this pitch might merit one, but at the end of Day 3, the hosts look well on course for a win.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand – 153 & 249 (BJ Watling 59, Henry Nicholls 55; Hasan Ali 5-45, Yasir Shah 5-110)
Pakistan – 227 & 37/0 (Imam-ul-Haq 25*, Mohammad Hafeez 8*). (AGENCIES)