COMMENT – At the start of day three, no one would have thought that a result would be reached by the end of the day’s play. However, in a dramatic change of events, Pakistani bowlers bowled with inspiration and intent, disposing of the Black Caps to take the first Test inside three days.
Starting the day, Pakistan were looking to go past New Zealand’s first innings total of 275. Asad Shafiq, who had batted brilliantly on day two and looked good for a hundred, was given lbw for 83 in a contentious decision. Misbah-ul-Haq went for 62, but solid lower order contributions by Adnan Akmal (44), Abdur Rehman (28), Umar Gul (17) and Tanvir Ahmed (18) meant that Pakistan managed a handy first innings total of 367 with an overall lead of 92.
When Pakistan came out to bowl, they looked full of purpose. Abdur Rehman was introduced early and he made an impact soon, dismissing Tim McIntosh. Wahab Riaz got into the act from the other end, removing the dangerous Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder. None of the Black Caps batsman could stand up to the hostile Pakistan attack.
The home side suffered a massive batting collapse after tea, going from 60-2 to 110 all out. This left Pakistan just 19 runs to win the game, which they achieved without any loss to win by a whopping 10 wickets margin. Abdur Rehman took 3-24, Umar Gul 3-28 and Wahab Riaz 3-38 as no Kiwi batsmen managed to get in on a responsive batting pitch against some high quality Pakistani bowling.
Abdur Rehman was adjudged man of the match for his six wickets in the game and a vital 28 with the bat. With such a convincing victory just in three days, Pakistan can hold their heads high and aim to win the Test series, something which they haven’t done since December 2006. The win was a result of a combined team effort.
The performances of Abdur Rehman and Asad Shafiq need to be mentioned. Both of them played determinedly and lay the foundation for Pakistan victory. And on day three it were the bowlers who did a commendable job to win the game for their side.
Star of the day: Abdur Rehman stole the limelight on day three as Pakistan beat New Zealand in the first Test. First the left hander chipped in with a crucial 28 with the bat as Pakistan took a vital 92 runs lead in the first innings. Then with the ball he started from where he left in the first innings, coming on to bowl early and denting New Zealand with his tidy and intelligent left arm spin.
Abdur Rehman accounted for Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill and Daniel Vettori to end with superb figures of 3-24 as Pakistan drew first blood in the series. Abdur Rehman bowled tightly and flighted the ball well, taking six wickets in the match and deservedly getting the man of the match title.
Moment that Mattered: At 60-2 after tea New Zealand were sailing safe, but it all changed as Pakistani bowlers created havoc for the hosts all of a sudden. New Zealand lost their last eight wickets for the addition of only 66 runs as Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul took three wickets each to dispose off the Black Caps merely in less than a session.
In an astounding collapse, while the Pakistani bowlers bowled with intent, the Kiwi batsmen failed to apply themselves which cost them the match on a good batting strip inside three days.
