Pakistan 566 for 3 dec (Ahmed Shehzad 176, Mohammad Hafeez 96, Azhar 87, Younis Khan 100*, Misbah Ul Huq 102*) and 15 for 0 lead by 319 runs New Zealand 262 (Latham 103, Rahat 4-22)
Kiwis cannot fly and when their wings are clipped they cannot move. Pakistanis, playing their best cricket in recent times, have reached impregnable position at the stumps on the third day against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi.
On a wicket where Kiwi bowlers did not find clue how to get Pakistani wicket their batsmen also had no answer to very accurate bowling of Rahat Ali and guiles of Pakistani spinners. It was only young Kiwi Opener TWM Lataham, whose brave first century (103) gave the innings some credibility. Otherwise it was all Pakistanis all over the place.
Misbah did not impose follow on despite achieving 304 runs first innings lead and the Pakistani opening pair of Hafiz and Azhar extended it to 319 by the end of the day-3.
The only cause of comfort for the visitors in the desert ride would be Ahmed Shehzad with a minor skull fracture is ruled out of the series. Pakistan may bat till an hour after lunch today extending their lead to 450 or 500 before declaring. We are sure Kiwis would not like to endure another explosive innings of Misbah or someone like Sarfraz which Pakistan will have the luxury now.
It seemed that Kiwis could learn very little from their Tasman cousins. They were no better than Australian batsmen. Rahat Ali is not express fast. But he bowls very accurately wicket to wicket and reverses. Playing him on a low slow bouncy wicket requires patience and composure which unfortunately Kiwi batsmen lacked. A bowling analysis of 17-10-22-4 speaks of itself how he bowled. Kiwi batsmen could take a leaf out of Pakistani batting. All five Pakistani batsmen except Misbah and Younis at the later stage of the innings tried to be aggressive. The Kiwis did not appear to have the technique and temperament. Pakistani batsmen continued their sparkling form over almost two days creating new records when 5 top batsmen each scored over 80 and there going on scoring centuries (Shehzad career best 176 , Younis an awesome 100*, fourth century in five innings, and Misbah his third consecutive 102*). Hafeez (96) and Azhar (87) narrowly missed the century.
It was not that Kiwis bowled poorly. It was quality Pakistani batting and out of character poor catching of the Kiwis that contributed to the greatly uncomfortable position of the kiwis.
When the turn of Kiwis came to bat responding to a mammoth Pakistan first innings of 566/3 declared survival should have been the key. But under desert sun two toiling days took a lot of energy. Kiwi batsmen were pegged by very accurate pace attack of Rahat Ali and Imran Khan. They bowled wicket to wicket on a disconcerting length.
McCullum and Taylor were smartly removed by Babar and Williamson got a brute toe crashing yorker from Rahat Ali. At 47/3 Kiwis were tottering.
But Young Latham was looking solid. His excellent sweeps and crisp drives kept the innings ticking. But from the other end none but Corey Anderson (48) could give him company for a long time. Rahat returning to the bowling accounted for Anderson breaking the longest Kiwi fourth wicket partnership of 83. Latham found another partner in wicket keeper BJ Watling. He went on scoring a brave 103 in 222 deliveries before becoming victim of yet another sharp inswinger of Rahat Ali.
Babar was making the batsmen dance to his tune from the other end. Watling tried to fight out alone but none of the late middle order could stay longer with him. He was the last man out falling to Babar after scoring patient 42 in 96 deliveries.
Four of the five Pakistani bowlers were among the wickets. New Zealand conceded a huge 304 first innings lead.
Misbah possibly did not want to bat last on the deteriorating wicket and wanted to set an imposing target to Kiwis by the middle of the fourth day.
It appears at this stage that it will be an uphill task for the visitors to survive for four and a half session. Pakistan is really cruising in the desert cricket resort home away from home. They seem to be doing nothing wrong and rewriting their cricket history.
BDST: 1006 HRS, NOV 12, 2014
