New Zealand Pakistan Boxing Day Test Played at Maunt Maunganu from December 26-30

Brief Scorecard at Stumps of Day Three  
New Zealand 1st Innings 431 All Out in 155 Overs (Kane Williamson 129, BJ Watlling 73, Ross Taylor 70, Henry Nichols 56. Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/109, Yasir Shah 3/113) 

Pakistan 1st Innings 239 All Out in 102.2 Overs (Fahim Ashraf 91, Mohammad Rizwan 71, Abid Ali 25, Kayle Jamieson 3/ 35, Neil Wagner 2/ 50, Tim Southee 2/ 69, Trent Boult 2/71)
New Zealand Lead By 192 Runs with two days left in the match.

Four-pronged quality Kiwi pace attack reducing Pakistan to 6/80 threatened for Pakistan bundling out for poor score. Back to wall stand in Captain Rizwan and all-rounder Fahim batting bravely salvaged the situation for Pakistan. Before getting run out Rizwan scored 71 priceless runs. The 7th wicket partnership produced very useful 107 runs. Fahim continued and only got out after rescuing the team from the ignominy of following on. Pakistan got all out scoring 239. Fahim got out at his own highest test score of 91. 

It does not mean that Pakistan gave it up. The bowling of the Kiwis was of top quality. Even the night watchman Abbas batted for 55 balls. But premiere Pakistan top order Azhar, Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam had no answer to the irresistible Kiwi pacers Southee, Wagner, Boult and Jamieson. Things were looking bleak at 6/80 when Fahim Ashraf joined Rizwan. These two batted bravely playing each ball to their merit. Had not been Rizwan getting run out this partnership could get Pakistan out of woods. But Rizwan’s departure exposed Pakistan tail. Nine, ten and jack of Pakistan batting was not good enough for staying with Fahim Ashraf long enough to let him closing the deficit. However, Pakistan could avoid the ignominy of following on. When Fahim got out last scoring 91 Pakistan innings folded at 239. Fahim richly deserved a century. However, 91 is his highest test score.

With two days left this test will definitely end with a result unless weather interfering. Off course it is now leaning heavily leaning towards the home side. Any target of 300 plus will be out of reach for Pakistan to chase in the fourth Innings. But in Cricket one may turn fool with prediction. Pakistani bowling attack is competent to challenge Kiwi batsmen. But their batting and fielding need huge improvement.

BDST: 1540 HRS, DEC 28, 2020
AP