New Zealand 403 All Out [TWM Latham 137, BB McCullum 43, MD Craig 43, BJ Watling 39, KS Williamson 32, IS Sodhi 32, Zulfiqur Babar 4/137, Ehsan Adil 2/73, Yasir Shah 2/92] Pakistan 281/6 [ Azhar Ali 75, Younis Khan 72, Asad Shafiq 44, Misbah ul Huq 28, Sarfraz Ahmed 28*, IS Sodhi 2/65 ]
At stumps on the third day of the Dubai test the match appears to be delicately poised with Pakistan trailing by 122 runs with 4 wickets intact.
The first session of the fourth day will dictate which way the match will be heading. If kiwis manage to mop up the tail quickly taking a substantial lead it will put them on a comfortable position. On the other hand if Pakistan can go closer to New Zealand Innings that will keep them very much in the game.
This is the 4th test in recent time at UAE that Pakistan is playing and is possibly the first time touring team batsmen could decode the mystery of Pakistan bowling. Young Kiwi batsman Latham really batted with lot of authority in shepherding the first innings of with a brilliant century 137 batting over 394 minutes. His captain McCullum and lower middle order batsman MD Craig also made useful contribution 43 each.
New Zealand could post a respectable first innings total of 403. New Zealand for the first time in 4 recent tests could present some challenges for relentless Pakistan in UAE.
Pakistan started their response on the later part of the second day and almost immediately ran into trouble. Two fresh batsmen had to open the innings in absence of injured Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafiz. New Zealand bowling had quality as well. At the end of the second day Pakistan was not looking good at 34/2 with Shan Masood and Tawfique Omar back in the pavilion. Two quality spinners Sodhi and Craig bowled exceeding well.
Pakistan's innings on the third day appeared to be going neck and neck with New Zealand's. Younis Khan was looking good for another century today, Azhar Ali as well, but both batsmen were dismissed against the run of play.
The pair put on 113 runs for the third wicket partnership when Younis left off the bowling of Right Arm Medium Pacer James Neesham when New Zealand was getting concerned of yet another marathon partnership.
The departure of Younis rocked Pakistan a little bit as Misbah also could not repeat his performance of earlier tests and Azhar also could not transform his innings to a hundred or beyond.
All kiwi bowlers bowled tight length and line and extracted whatever little assistance the wicket provided. Run making appeared to be not easy till tea. But after tea two Pakistani batsmen Asad Shafique started pushing the pedal a little bit accelerating the run rate.
They scored 59 runs scored in 14 overs till Asad Shafiq was picked up by Southee close to the end of the days play. Sarfraz on 28 and Yasir Shah on 1 were at the wicket when stumps were drawn for the day.
With another two days left all three possibilities are still alive in the test. New Zealand can wrap up the Pakistan innings early and batting aggressively can set a target of 300-350 for Pakistan on the fifth day. On the other hand Pakistan can take whatever small lead they can or at least go very close. Then Pakistan managing restricting New Zealand to a chase able target can also push for a win.
Whatever happens by lunch today the clear picture might appear as to which direction the test will be heading. But whatever happens, New Zealand has already given a good account of them.
BDST: 0909 HRS, NOV 20, 2014
