Pakistan’s cautious start in response to New Zealand’s big score

Matt Henry and Ejaz Patel stitched a century partnership for the last wicket as New Zealand bundled out Pakistan for 154 after scoring 449 in their first innings on the second day of the second Test on Tuesday. At the end of the day’s play, openers Imam-ul-Haq were playing on 74 and Saud Shakeel on 13. Pakistan’s team is 295 runs behind New Zealand in the first innings. Pakistan tried to bowl out the visitors for 350 at the start of the day but Henry hit a career-best 68 not out from 81 balls and Patel made his Test best of 35 and added 104 for the 10th wicket.

Fast bowler Henry, playing his first Test since June last year, then did wonders with the ball, Abdullah Shafiq (19) while Patel increased Pakistan’s problems by dismissing Shan Masood (20). Earlier, New Zealand started the day with 309 runs for six wickets. Naseem Shah sent Ish Sodhi (11) to the pavilion without adding any runs to yesterday’s score. After this, Abrar Ahmed (149 runs for four wickets) ended the half-century innings of Tom Blundell (51) and then showed the way to the pavilion to captain Tim Southee.

At this time the team’s score was 345 runs for nine wickets. But Henry and Patel frustrated the Pakistan bowlers for the next hour and a half. At lunch, the team’s score was 433 for nine wickets. After lunch, Abrar wrapped up New Zealand’s innings by getting Patel caught by Aga Salman. Blundell started the day with 30 runs and completed his half-century in 103 balls with the help of six fours. He was bowled by Abrar. Saudi was then lbw by Hasan Ali but the third umpire overturned the on-field umpire’s decision.

However, he could not take advantage of it and was stumped by Abrar. Hasan, returning to the Test team, did not get a single success in bowling 21 overs. Henry hit sixes against fast bowlers Hasan and Naseem and hit a total of eight fours in his innings. Patel looked at ease against the spinners and hit four fours. During Pakistan’s innings, Shafiq showed aggression by hitting four fours against Southee and Henry but was caught at deep-midwicket in one such attempt.

Masood hit Patel for three fours in a single over, but he paid the price of batting too fast by losing his wicket in the same over itself. At the tea break, the team’s score was 62 for two. New Zealand got a big breakthrough in the last session of the day when Pakistan captain Babar Azam (24) was run out. Imam completed his half-century by hitting a six against Michael Bracewell, while Shakeel opened the account on the 42nd ball of his innings.