Pakistan top order makes history in Abu Dhabi
New Zealand faced an uphill task in the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, reaching stumps on 15 for none after the hosts racked up a whopping 566 for three declared over the first two days.
New Zealand faced an uphill task in the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, reaching stumps on 15 for none after the hosts racked up a whopping 566 for three declared over the first two days.
The hosts made Test history by becoming the first team to have all five of their top order score more than 80 runs each. Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq had unbeaten centuries at the declaration.
Pakistan began the day on 269 for one, with Ahmed Shehzad already well past his century, while Azhar Ali was a few runs short of a half century. The pair reached new milestones in the morning, with Shehzad becoming the youngest Pakistan batsman to score 150.
Shehzad was out for 176 to bring about lunch, as New Zealand finally got a breakthrough as the hosts sat on 347 for two. He ended up with a fractured skull though, which scans later revealed.
Shehzad was struck on the helmet grill by Corey Anderson, which caused him to spin around and drop his bat, but it landed on the wickets and when he came around from the blow, looking very groggy, he was told he was out.
The afternoon saw the single wicket of Ali falling, as he departed for 87, a failure compared to the other batsmen in his team. He was beautifully bowled by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who removed the top of off stump.
But that was all the Kiwis celebrated on the day, as they dropped three catches to boot. Younis and Misbah continued their sublime run of recent form, adding yet more tons to their records, and Younis becoming the fourth player to reach 1000 Test runs this year.
Their centuries prompted the declaration, Misbah making his off 162 balls and Younis off 141. This left the Kiwis to see out seven overs, and at stumps Brendon McCullum was on nine and Tom Latham on five.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.