Pakistan maintain lead thanks to draw

New Zealand

The second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand ended in a draw in Dubai on Friday, as Younis Khan's steady innings on day five ensured the hosts maintained their series lead going to Sharjah.

New Zealand made a bold declaration early in the day, setting Pakistan a target of 261 to win thanks to Ross Taylor's century. But the hosts opted to see out the day, reaching the close with five wickets in hand and 65 runs to go.

The day began with Taylor on 77 and Mark Craig still to get off the mark. They were already six down, so Taylor had to push for his century as Yasir Shah removed Craig early on. Shah later bagged Taylor too, stumped, to record his five-fer.

Thus, Brendon McCullum declared with the score on 250 for nine before lunch, leaving Pakistan with a tricky decision. But by the session break they made only 32 runs in 14 overs, for the loss of Taufeeq Umar.

So the course was set, or so it seemed. Quick wickets in the afternoon, two to Trent Boult, put the cat amongst the pigeons a bit as Pakistan sat on 75 for four, requiring another Younis intervention.

The veteran batsman and Asad Shafiq batted together for the next 24 overs, running down the clock as the light faded. But just as it looked like a draw would be called early, Younis was removed for 44 by Craig, caught at slip.

So Pakistan had to do the hard work of seeing out the day, as Shafiq (41) and Sarfraz Ahmed (24) completed the task. The third, and final, Test in Sharjah starts this coming Tuesday.

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