Kiwis sizzled by Pak firepower
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah led a double-barrelled attack of spin and pace to leave Pakistan sitting comfortably on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand on Friday.
Yasir led the varied attack with 3-54 as New Zealand, who won the toss and batted on a grass-less Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch, were bowled out for a below-par 153 in 66.3 overs at the stroke of tea.
The day saw 12 wickets fall as Pakistan closed at 59-2, having lost both their openers Imam-ul-Haq (six) and Mohammad Hafeez (20) before Haris Sohail (22 not out) and Azhar Ali (10 not out) stopped the rot.
Pakistan need 94 more to take a lead and enforce a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Imam was first to go as he edged Colin de Grandhomme's delivery to the slip while Hafeez miscued a pull straight to short mid-wicket -- both caught by Kane Williamson.
New Zealand skipper Williamson, declared fit after missing last Sunday's third one-day international due to a groin injury, top-scored with 63 before falling softly to medium pacer Hasan Ali, who finished with 2-38.
Hasan removed Williamson with a slower delivery as the New Zealand skipper went for a hook and gloved the ball for wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed's fourth catch of the innings.
Williamson's 112-ball knock had five boundaries and he added 72 for the fourth wicket with Henry Nicholls who made 28 with four boundaries.
Pakistan dominated the first session as New Zealand were 81-3 at lunch, with leg-spinner Yasir Shah taking two wickets.
Yasir had derailed New Zealand's progress in the first session with the wickets of opener Tom Latham (13) and Ross Taylor (two) in his first spell.
SCORES IN BRIEF
NEW ZEALAND: First Innings 153 (Williamson 63, Nicholls 28; Yasir 3-54, Sohail 2-11, Abbas 2-13)
PAKISTAN: First Innings 59 for 2 (Sohail 22 not out, Hafeez 20, Azhar 10 not out; Grandhomme 1-17, Boult 1-20)
Comments