Kane Williamson (139*) and Henry Nicholls (90*) put New Zealand on top in final Test versus Pakistan

[ARK Rafay]

If Williamson scores a 100 and NZ somehow win, this knock will be rated very very highly and he will re-enter the best test batsman discussion in style. Facing a deficit of 75 and roaring back in the 3rd innings with minimal support from the other end in alien conditions, don't even remember Smith or Kohli doing something like this.

You are exaggerating this match

 

[Mainul]

Kane was out lbw against Hasan Ali but wasnt given by the umpire, nevertheless a class innings from a class player

Why Pak didn't take review?

 

[world cup captain]

Williamson threatening to take the game and series away from us.

Surprised Sarfraz hasn't turned to Hafeez or Haris for a couple of overs.

He seems to be more rigid with his plan even more so than Misbah. Haris has picked up a couple of wickets in an earlier match hence reasonable to give him the ball.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Congratulations new zealand.

 

[Ahmed216]

But this is a relatively low scoring match and NZ were 36/3 in response at one point. Pakistan is a monster team in the desert, don't underestimate your team !!!!

Not after Misbah younis left

 

[UP]

The moment lead crosses 150 - it will be all over.

 

[Ahmed216]

Why Pak didn't take review?

They had just wasted a review couple of overs ago, henry nicholls too was out plumb lbw against Yasir but not given

 

[Aman]

Kane was out lbw against Hasan Ali but wasnt given by the umpire, nevertheless a class innings from a class player

According to commentary I'm following it was Nicols who survived because of Pakistan not reviewing.

31.3
Yasir Shah to Henry Nicholls, no run, "Ahhhhhhh" goes up Sarfraz and Co. but umpire Ian Gould is not interested. Preferred to wait back, in hope of guessing the spin on the leg-break. It spun in dramatically from well outside off and Nicholls gets a knock on the pad - around the knee-roll. Spinning down leg IMO


Oh, well. Coming to 31.3, HawkEye shows that it was hitting the stumps - clipping the leg-stump and only if Pakistan had revewied.. Sigh!

 

[Ahmed216]

We are again entering that time of the day when wickets fall in heaps here, lets see what happens today

 

[Dark_Horse]

That is the difference between an average batsman's innings and a worldclass batsman. Just look at the SR of Williamson and try to remember that of Azhar Ali and Shafiq.

Also remember the fate of first game was decided on umpire calls ball just clipping and now williamson was given right to bat on despite that ball from hassan Ali hit major part of stump (although still umpire call) add to that Nicholls plumb decision. These are the differences which makes a team winner or loser

 

[Aman]

^ Found commentary for the hawkeye

Meanwhile, replay on that Williamson lbw appeal show it was umpire's call on the stumps, just clipping the leg side

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Wow. Kane averages 66 in the UAE.

 

[Swashbuckler]

You are exaggerating this match

Look at it from NZ's perspective:

1. Series decider
2. Coming on the back of a crushing defeat in 2nd test, Pakistan with all the momentum and the superior team in these conditions
3. Radically different pitch, weather etc against a competent team, like Asian teams in SENA
4. Dismal record in Asia, last won an away series against Pakistan in 1969
5. 75+ deficit, 36/3 staring at a massive defeat against a fired up Pakistan

Considering these factors, if Kane can score a match winning 100 it will raise his stature a great deal. IIRC Smith and Kohli haven't been in a similar situation in their careers, so a big opportunity for the Kiwi to stamp his class.

 

[Madplayer]

If NZ dont collapse within the next 40 runs, Pakistan shouldnt bother stepping out for the chase.

 

[Aman]

Also remember the fate of first game was decided on umpire calls ball just clipping and now williamson was given right to bat on despite that ball from hassan Ali hit major part of stump (although still umpire call) add to that Nicholls plumb decision. These are the differences which makes a team winner or loser

This has been the case for a while... sometimes it goes in your favor and sometimes against you, eventually levels out.

 

[Ahmed216]

According to commentary I'm following it was Nicols who survived because of Pakistan not reviewing.

See commentary for 30.1

 

[Stalin]

Relax guys ... 250 can be easily chased on this road. It's doing absolutely nothing compared to the first test. Just one wicket and the floodgates will open for the kiwis. Predicting a 180ish target and Pakistan to chase it 4 wickets down.

 

[shaaik]

Why Pak didn't take review?

It was umpires call on hitting the stumps, however should have been given out by the on field umpire..

 

[Madplayer]

Also remember the fate of first game was decided on umpire calls ball just clipping and now williamson was given right to bat on despite that ball from hassan Ali hit major part of stump (although still umpire call) add to that Nicholls plumb decision. These are the differences which makes a team winner or loser

Or its just a case of NZ making better use of reviews while Pakistan wasting them on useless calls.

 

[Suleiman]

Everybody relax, we'll still win lol.

source: dude trust me.

 

[Aman]

See commentary for 30.1

It was umpires call...

 

[JibranAnsari]

Williamson looks well set to score a 200.

Bat 10 overs into 5th morning , set a total of around 300 to.chase .

Watch us crumble.

 

[Shafi]

NZ's match to loose!!!!! Our batsmen are hopeless and timid to chase even 100 runs

 

[Aman]

It was umpires call on hitting the stumps, however should have been given out by the on field umpire..

If it were obvious, Pakistan would have reviewed it. I don't think they did.

 

[shaaik]

Relax guys ... 250 can be easily chased on this road. It's doing absolutely nothing compared to the first test. Just one wicket and the floodgates will open for the kiwis. Predicting a 180ish target and Pakistan to chase it 4 wickets down.

Where will that 1 wicket come from, at the moment it looks all too easy for kiwis. Any other team can chase around 250 on this wicket, but when it comes to Pakistan wickets , conditions hardly matter, it's the pressure that our batsmen just can't handle.

 

[Dark_Horse]

^ Found commentary for the hawkeye

If you look at the margins of the azhar ali given out despite ball bouncing up from rough in first match vs Williamson’s umpire call and Nicholls as well u would find a word called inconsistency in decision making

 

[Aman]

If you look at the margins of the azhar ali given out despite ball bouncing up from rough in first match vs Williamson’s umpire call and Nicholls as well u would find a word called inconsistency in decision making

Either way, I'm not worried about umpiring or DRS. It evens out over time.

 

[shaaik]

If it were obvious, Pakistan would have reviewed it. I don't think they did.

They had only 1 review left that's why didn't review it otherwise they would have had they had both reviews at disposal.

 

[Dark_Horse]

If it were obvious, Pakistan would have reviewed it. I don't think they did.

They had only one left plus it was umpire duty to give Nicholls out the ball should be turning more than 60 degrees when hit on backfoot to miss the stumps

 

[shaaik]

If you look at the margins of the azhar ali given out despite ball bouncing up from rough in first match vs Williamson’s umpire call and Nicholls as well u would find a word called inconsistency in decision making

This umpires call just doesn't make sense.

 

[Aman]

They had only 1 review left that's why didn't review it otherwise they would have had they had both reviews at disposal.

They would have retained the review if it was umpires call, they chose not to review knowing this as they didn't think it was even that... so how is it obvious/error on the umpires part? It was umpires call, obvious would be hitting.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Dropped again? Oh dear.

edit: On replay, looked like it was just out of his reach.

 

[Aman]

This umpires call just doesn't make sense.

I think it's do with margin of error and not completely demoralizing umpires with every review which is clipping being overturned.

 

[Rana]

Game creeping out of Pakistan’s hand. Only thing that could possibly save them is a slow grinding 50* by their top order batsmen

 

[ILcricket]

As i suspected all along , DRAW in the picture as kiwi's will not declare in a hurry & cannot take 10 wickets in 70 overs on this dead pitch . [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

 

[topspin]

Pakistan are just not good enough. Needed a 150+ run lead.

I hope the deluded fan base on here who were saying there was nothing wrong with Pakistan's slow batting in the series now finally get it.

 

[Dark_Horse]

They would have retained the review if it was umpires call, they chose not to review knowing this as they didn't think it was even that which would have lost them their review... so how is it obvious/error on the umpires part? It was umpires call, obvious would be hitting.

Let come the 4th innings chase u would see a lot decisions given out on umpire’s call just because the umpire thought it. By the way Nicholls have made 46 after that decision

 

[Aman]

Let come the 4th innings chase u would see a lot decisions given out on umpire’s call just because the umpire thought it. By the way Nicholls have made 46 after that decision

You're acting as if it's the first time this has happened? It happens all the time to every team.

But can;'t blame anyone but yourself for it when you're not using your reviews well. Can't be dwelling on what ifs around the DRS.

 

[world cup captain]

After SA, we need to get rid of Sarfraz. This is humiliating from him right now.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Draw or NZ win only 2 likely results now.

 

[ikky47]

Even if we somehow miraculously manage to win this match, Sarfaraz has to go as captain needs to be replaced.

 

[Aman]

Draw or NZ win only 2 likely results now.

One wicket is all you need to trigger a collapse.

 

[Asif321]

Pakistan can say bye bye to series now

 

[Aman]

Captain's knock from Kane which has given us a chance.

Best thing about it is the SR, he's scoring at 66 on a day 4 pitch after losing 4 wickets for 60.

 

[Shafi]

Sarfraz needs to go along with our so-called mr. revolutionist. This team can barely fight with top teams.

 

[aukhan]

take a bow Williamson

Best test batsmen in the world today.

 

[Osman]

This game was given away when Pakistan could not secure a big lead. They should have batted once with the plan being to build a lead in excess of 150 and bat NZ out of the game. Asad Shafiq is a big culprit. His 100 was the definition of a match losing innings

 

[Dark_Horse]

You're acting as if it's the first time this has happened? It happens all the time to every team.

But can;'t blame anyone but yourself for it when you're not using your reviews well. Can't be dwelling on what ifs around the DRS.

This is not the first time happened to pakistan
For second part it’s umpire duty they should show some consistency in decisions.

 

[Savak]

Great players rise to the occasion. Hats off too Williamson

 

[Amjid Javed]

One wicket is all you need to trigger a collapse.

Your team has enough of a lead to win game already.

 

[Aman]

Your team has enough of a lead to win game already.

Nah, but I do like that the pitch is breaking down. A lot of variable bounce, hopefully it will be more difficult on day 5.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

As i suspected all along , DRAW in the picture as kiwi's will not declare in a hurry & cannot take 10 wickets in 70 overs on this dead pitch . [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

Hard to say. There have been times when Abu Dhabi pitch came to life on the last two sessions of day 5 . Kiwis are playing it safe and taking it as deep as possible .

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Most versatile test batsman playing today. None of root,Smith or Kohli could have played like this.

 

[Shafi]

We cannot win with so many passengers in the team start with mr. captain, nephew, mr blessed with talent, Pretend spinners + bunch of timid cats.

 

[Dark_Horse]

So the mr blessed in all facets is not going to ball after 65+ overs

 

[Ahmed216]

Kane wont relax after scoring a hundred unlike our champ Shafiq who gets out within 15-20 balls after every hundred

 

[Ahmed216]

Most versatile test batsman playing today. None of root,Smith or Kohli could have played like this.

What makes u think like that?? I mean smith and Kohli have always been wonderful under pressure

 

[Ahmed216]

Typo

We cannot win with so many passengers in the team start with mr. captain, nephew, mr blessed with talent, Pretend spinners + bunch of timid cats.

Yes, we were Never going to recover after that horror show in first testsh

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What makes u think like that?? I mean smith and Kohli have always been wonderful under pressure

Not in these conditions and not when everybody around you is falling like mine pins.

 

[Shafi]

Most versatile test batsman playing today. None of root,Smith or Kohli could have played like this.

They don't play on flat track and against weak minded captains that often.

 

[aukhan]

Kane wont relax after scoring a hundred unlike our champ Shafiq who gets out within 15-20 balls after every hundred

His body language is always so relaxed after scoring a ton regardless of team winning or losing he is satisfied after his ton.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

They don't play on flat track and against weak minded captains that often.

The first part is definitely wrong. They score heavily on flat tracks especially Smith and Kohli. But on a pitch like this where the odd ball is shooting through and/or turning/ cutting off the deck I don't think they can bat here. Williamson has made it look easier than it actually is.

 

[hayder ali]

Lol to the best batsman in the world, even I can score hundred with dozen of drop catches and one of the worst umpires,useless player.lucky new zealander

 

[Dark_Horse]

His body language is always so relaxed after scoring a ton regardless of team winning or losing he is satisfied after his ton.

Asad Shafique and scoring runs for fun in losing cause

 

[hayder ali]

How many catches are dropped today?

 

[ILcricket]

Nah, but I do like that the pitch is breaking down. A lot of variable bounce, hopefully it will be more difficult on day 5.

is there variable bounce ?If yes why no wickets since 45 overs ?

 

[Ahmed216]

Not in these conditions and not when everybody around you is falling like mine pins.

These are not very tough conditions. Smiths hundred against India in pune is the best innings ive seen on a minefield.Indians got bundled out for 100 in both innings in that match.
What about Kohlis innings at edgbaston first test in england??
Many more that i cant recall right now for sure

 

[Suleiman]

If Misbah was captain rn and in the same position he'd be called too defensive, lazy, and passive.

Shehzadah Salim is free of blame. But when he succeeds he will get praise.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Nah, but I do like that the pitch is breaking down. A lot of variable bounce, hopefully it will be more difficult on day 5.

Scoreboard pressure and mental barrier of failed chases means pakistan will lose.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

These are not very tough conditions. Smiths hundred against India in pune is the best innings ive seen on a minefield.Indians got bundled out for 100 in both innings in that match.
What about Kohlis innings at edgbaston first test in england??
Many more that i cant recall right now for sure

It's very tough to score a ton at 60 strike on these slow wickets.

 

[Madplayer]

Asad Shafique and scoring runs for fun in losing cause

Just exactly what was going through my mind. Whenever Asad scores runs Pakistan loses.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Interesting to see if New zealand bat till close of play or even into tomorrow how much time they will leave themselves to take 10 pakistan wickets.

 

[superman]

Why hasn’t harris bowled at all?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Wow. Yasir has bowled 64 overs in the match.

 

[Aman]

Lol to the best batsman in the world, even I can score hundred with dozen of drop catches and one of the worst umpires,useless player.lucky new zealander

1 difficult chance and 1 umpires call = half a dozen catches and bad umpiring...

These are not very tough conditions. Smiths hundred against India in pune is the best innings ive seen on a minefield.Indians got bundled out for 100 in both innings in that match.
What about Kohlis innings at edgbaston first test in england??
Many more that i cant recall right now for sure

Yeah, that innings literally had half a dozen chances.

 

[ikky47]

Just goes to show how crucial it is winning the toss first in the UAE. All 5 of the matches so far teams have chosen to bat first. Also didn't help that we made a huge error in the first match by failing to chase an easy target of 176.

 

[ILcricket]

Hafeez should have been chucking 10 overs back , this IS his last Test .

 

[Suleiman]

Easy now, let's not forget Shafiq Technique's innings also had plenty of luck, a drop, some very very lucky edges either side of the fielder.

It's part of the game.

Williamson has been playing on another level compared to everyone else, showed our batsmen up.

 

[Aman]

Now that should have been taken.

I think Yasir is exhausted, he's bowled so many overs this series.

 

[Ahmed216]

1 difficult chance and 1 umpires call = half a dozen catches and bad umpiring...

Yeah, that innings literally had half a dozen chances.

kane too had couple of narrow escapes in this innings. But that doesnt make his innings less special.