Friday, December 04, 2009 WELLINGTON: Pakistan's bowlers destroying New Zealand's top order with another clinical performance in second Test here, which left them superbly placed to level the series. After extending their first innings to 264, thanks largely to Kamran Akmal's enterprising 70, the bowlers immediately got down to business, exploiting the conditions and the huge flaws in the techniques of the New Zealand batsmen, bundling them out for 99 and extending their overall lead to 229 by close of play. Save for a brief four-over period when New Zealand took the last three Pakistan wickets and a little period just before close of play, the day belonged entirely to the visitors. Mohammad Aamer did his by now customary trick of taking a wicket in his first over. Mohammad Asif seamed the ball both ways, Gul was the perfect first-change bowler who offered the New Zealanders no respite, while Danish Kaneria befuddled the lower order with his bag of tricks. That was one of two overs Pakistan bowled before lunch, and after the break the slide continued. Asif flummoxed Tim McIntosh and forced an inside edge to short leg, and should have had Daniel Flynn in similar fashion had Salman Butt not dropped a regulation catch.Ross Taylor was the only batsman to play with confidence - he raced to 30 from 40 balls, showing decisive footwork and driving confidently through the off side off the fast bowlers. His judgement failed him, though, when Gul slipped in an indipper which took the off stump even Taylor left it alone. Peter Fulton was a walking wicket once again, shuffling indecisively to a straight and full one on the stumps, but New Zealand really crumbled after tea, going from 85 for 4 to 99 all out in the space of six overs. It's a fate that has often befallen New Zealand sides of the past against Pakistan, and this time it was Asif who started the slide. Flynn's painstaking knock ended when he was trapped in front of off by one which straightened - the review failed to save him - and when McCullum fell next ball, Asif was on a hat-trick. Vettori averted it, but was, for once, unable to lead another rearguard effort, as Kaneria snuffed out the tail in a trice. Throughout the day, the bounce on the track kept the bowlers interested: the last 30 minutes was a huge test for Pakistan's batsmen, with O'Brien, who bowled an inspired spell, exceeding 140 kph, peppering the batsmen with plenty of short deliveries, and getting Butt with one such delivery which had him all tangled up and gloving to Taylor in the slips. Imran Farhat was consumed by the pace and movement too, but despite that lion-hearted effort, the story of the day remained New Zealand's abject collapse.
Friday, December 04, 2009 WELLINGTON: Pakistan's bowlers destroying New Zealand's top order with another clinical performance in second Test here, which left them superbly placed to level the series. After extending their first innings to 264, thanks largely to Kamran Akmal's enterprising 70, the bowlers immediately got down to business, exploiting the conditions and the huge flaws in the techniques of the New Zealand batsmen, bundling them out for 99 and extending their overall lead to 229 by close of play. Save for a brief four-over period when New Zealand took the last three Pakistan wickets and a little period just before close of play, the day belonged entirely to the visitors. Mohammad Aamer did his by now customary trick of taking a wicket in his first over. Mohammad Asif seamed the ball both ways, Gul was the perfect first-change bowler who offered the New Zealanders no respite, while Danish Kaneria befuddled the lower order with his bag of tricks. That was one of two overs Pakistan bowled before lunch, and after the break the slide continued. Asif flummoxed Tim McIntosh and forced an inside edge to short leg, and should have had Daniel Flynn in similar fashion had Salman Butt not dropped a regulation catch.Ross Taylor was the only batsman to play with confidence - he raced to 30 from 40 balls, showing decisive footwork and driving confidently through the off side off the fast bowlers. His judgement failed him, though, when Gul slipped in an indipper which took the off stump even Taylor left it alone. Peter Fulton was a walking wicket once again, shuffling indecisively to a straight and full one on the stumps, but New Zealand really crumbled after tea, going from 85 for 4 to 99 all out in the space of six overs. It's a fate that has often befallen New Zealand sides of the past against Pakistan, and this time it was Asif who started the slide. Flynn's painstaking knock ended when he was trapped in front of off by one which straightened - the review failed to save him - and when McCullum fell next ball, Asif was on a hat-trick. Vettori averted it, but was, for once, unable to lead another rearguard effort, as Kaneria snuffed out the tail in a trice. Throughout the day, the bounce on the track kept the bowlers interested: the last 30 minutes was a huge test for Pakistan's batsmen, with O'Brien, who bowled an inspired spell, exceeding 140 kph, peppering the batsmen with plenty of short deliveries, and getting Butt with one such delivery which had him all tangled up and gloving to Taylor in the slips. Imran Farhat was consumed by the pace and movement too, but despite that lion-hearted effort, the story of the day remained New Zealand's abject collapse.
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