Hafeez’s near-double bolsters Pakistan
Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez was the star on day one of the third Test against New Zealand in Sharjah, reaching 178 not out as his side racked up 281 runs for the loss of three wickets.
Hafeez returned to action after missing the second game due to injury and a bowling action test, and made the most of his comeback against a lacklustre Kiwi attack. Not even Daniel Vettori's experience could thwart him.
Pakistan won the toss and did the obvious thing but opting to bat first on a deck that will deteriorate. Hafeez started off with a crunching square drive first ball and never really looked back for the rest of the day.
Shan Masood was the first wicket to fall, for 12, finding his bails removed by spinner Mark Craig. This brought Azhar Ali to the middle, and he held steady with Hafeez till lunch and beyond.
Craig also bagged Ali, for 39, after the break, before Vettori claimed the prized wicket of Younis Khan. This was Vettori's first Test wicket since 2012, and a rare failure for Younis lately, as he made just five.
But that just brought the steady Misbah to the middle to join Hafeez, and the pair put on 121 runs together. They coasted through the evening session, with Hafeez inching closer to his top Test score of 196.
Latest
-
NewsGeorge Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
EnglandEngland top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New ZealandDaryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.
-
EnglandSuperb James Vince ton leads Hampshire to shock win over Somerset
Sussex’s five-match losing streak came to an end with a 17-run win over Surrey.
-
EnglandAdil Rashid to miss England’s India white-ball series to make Mecca pilgrimage
Rashid has found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments.
-
EnglandJack Leach pleased with good luck but admits freak dismissal no collector’s item
New Zealand closed the opening day of the final Test against England on 225 for five after Henry Nicholls was dismissed in bizarre fashion.
-
EnglandStuart Broad stars on day one for England but error of judgement proves costly
Broad kept a week of celebrations going strong by striking before a run had been added and followed with the key scalp of Kane Williamson.
-
EnglandMatthew Mott expects England whitewash to ‘light fire’ under captain Eoin Morgan
Mott made an ideal start in his new role with a 3-0 one-day clean sweep of the Netherlands.