LAHORE – The Basin Reserve Test sparked into life on the fourth day frequent twists, turns and momentum shifts, as both the sides swapped game-plans several times.
With 273 to defend, New Zealand will begin as favourites on the last day (January 19), but Pakistan can take heart from the fact that seven years ago, they successfully chased similar target at this very ground. If they fall short, they will have their lacklustre start to the day to blame, a period when Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill were allowed to dictate terms. Pakistan made 277 for three to win the match at Wellington in 2003-04. It was Pakistan’s second successful chase in Tests after 315 for nine against Australia at Karachi in 1994-95.
** Adnan Akmal became the only the third Pakistani wicket-keeper on seven occasion to dismiss eight or more batsmen behind the wicket in a Test match. Adnan Akmal, who dismissed six batsmen in the first innings, went to take two more catches in the second innings.
Adnan Akmal’s elder brother achieved this feat thrice while Rashid Latif performed this twice. Wasim Bari who was the first Pakistani wicket-keeper to dismiss eight batsmen in a match, did the same against England at Leeds in 1971. Rahid Latif and Kamran Akmal shared the Pakistani record of most dismissals in a match. Rashid Latif dismissed nine New Zealand batsmen behind the wickets at Auckland in 1993-94 while Kamran Akmal took nine catches against West Indies at Kingston in 2004-05.
** Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill’s 120-run stand was the fifth century stand for the first wicket for New Zealand against Pakistan in Tests. It was second time when two batsmen added more than 100 runs in partnership. They also put on 339 for the 6th wicket against Bangladesh at Hamilton in 2009-10.
HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL CHASES BY PAKISTAN:
Score Opponent Venue Season
315-9 Australia Karachi 1994-95
277-3 New Zealand Wellington 2003-04
262-9 Bangladesh Multan 2003-04
230-3 New Zealand Hyderabad 1984-85
217-3 Bangladesh Karachi 2003-04
202-2 New Zealand Karachi 1964-65
