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Late surge of wickets helps New Zealand solidify its grip on the 2nd Test


image-lchlelbnDaryl Mitchell after the hard-earned wicket of Sarfaraz Ahmed

Just like how things panned out on Day 1, flurry of wickets in the fag-end of the day have helped the bowling side grip the game in their favour.

For the majority of Day 3, a mere of two wickets fell on the third day of the second Test match. However, Pakistan lost four wickets in a span of 12 runs.

The third day, which is also called the moving day, showed a wearying approach from the home team, as they were more reserve in approach than aggressive.


Shakeel held fort from one end

Pakistan's middle-order batter, Saud Shakeel fought like a true warrior throughout as he took the cautious route and didn't get carried away by the wider deliveries bowled the Kiwis. He might have soaked in too many dot deliveries, but did all the necessary things to hold the forte from one end and notched his maiden Test century. 

Shakeel, the overnight batter, lost Imam-ul-Haq early in the day; when the opening batter got caught behind off Tim Southee's bowling. Things could have been different if Southee won't have reviewed, but Imam fell 17 runs short of another ton this winter. 

There was another Pakistan batter apart from Imam, who failed on converting a fine fifty into a hundred. Batting at number six, Sarfaraz Ahmed was the lone batter who batted more aggressively than having a cautious approach; unlike the others.  

Sarfaraz also had to walk back after the Blackcaps reviewed an umpiring decision on the stroke of Tea. The centurion then got partnered by the century-maker from the last game, but Agha Salman could only bat finely for his 41. 


Kiwi spinners stun Pakistan

Salman's dismissal off Ajaz Patel's bowling opened floodgates for the Babar Azam-led force. Shakeel stood tall from one end, but his partners kept walking back to the pavilion from the other end. 

Hasan Ali went for the glory shot and holed to Devon Conway at deep mid wicket fence. While the leg spin of Ish Sodhi was too good for Naseem Shah and Mir Hamza, as they lost their wickets in succession. 

Shakeel got a ray of hope in the number 11 batter, Abrar Ahmed survived through nine deliveries as Pakistan end the day on 407/9. However, they are likely to concede a first-innings lead.


Brief Score:

New Zealand - 449-10 (131 overs)
Devon Conway - 122, Tom Latham - 71
Abrar Ahmed - 4/149 (39), Naseem Shah - 3/71 (24)

Pakistan - 407/9 (132 overs)
Saud Shakeel - 124*, Imam-ul-Haq - 83
Ajaz Patel - 3/88 (17), Ish Sodhi - 2/94 (26)

Pakistan trail by 42 runs.


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