The 2nd Test between Pakistan (408 & 304/9) & NZ (449 & 277/5d) ends in a draw - Series drawn 0-0

[Savak]

NZ should have won both test matches against Pakistan

In the first test they chose to prolong their first innings batting and then they had Pakistan 206/7 and only a 31 run lead.

In the second test they again batted to slowly on Day 4 and on Day 5 they had Pakistan 80/5 with 2 sessions left to play with.

On paper they had a more experienced team and their spin attack was superior. If anything, i am surprised that they are not being criticized for not being able to finish the job against an under pressure, low on confidence Pakistani side back home when they had them against the wall in both test matches.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Kiwis thought they're England. Damn birds

 

[MenInG]

Highlights of the day

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[MenInG]

Babar Azam in his presser:

“Our plan was to go for the win, and we started the run chase in the morning with that objective"

"We tried to go session by session and after that, our aim was to see where we stood in the final session. So, we thought that we can go for the chase and the partnership between Saud and Saifi bhai demonstrated our game plan"

“But, when Saud got out and Agha went into bat, they [New Zealand] did not set the field as we were anticipating as obviously, they too got a bit defensive but when Agha got out, they once again came back into the game.

“It is a funny game, and it goes this way, sometimes you are favourites and sometimes it’s the opposition who are on top, and at the end our tail also showcased responsibility"

“It is difficult to handle the new ball and when almost all fielders are up it mounts an added pressure on the batter, but I think Naseem and Abrar played really well.”

“Sarfaraz Ahmed’s comeback was brilliant. Whenever he's got a chance, he's proved himself"

“Saifi [Sarfaraz] bhai did not let the fire die within him in four years. His work ethic was always there and continued to wait for his turn. We could’ve won also briefly, and it was because of his confidence and belief,” he added.

 

[sweep_shot]

Umpires should have continued for 3-4 more overs. We could've seen a result.

 

[MP2011]

NZ should be more aggrieved team as they were favourites to win the test and series when the play started today.

However, Pakistan were playing at home so would be considering themselves unlucky not to have won this test after coming so close.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Umpires should have continued for 3-4 more overs. We could've seen a result.

No. That is unfair on NZ. You cannot ask NZ not to use fast bowlers and continue.

 

[jaf348]

Fair result to both teams. I'm surprised no one is mentioning the 100+ run 10th wicket partnership in NZs first innings as a game changer rather than blaming certain batsmen for batting too slow or mindlessly.

 

[PakLFC]

So we couldn't get the ten runs needed to win the match? We didn't lose one more wicket to lose the match? If so we lost this match more then draw it. It proves what I have always said that we bat to slow. I couldn't be bothered to get up early in the morning for this test.

 

[MenInG]

Tim Southee in presser:


“Sarfaraz was outstanding… not only today, but throughout the whole series"

“He came out, he played positive cricket, played busy cricket. For somebody who hasnt played for four years, credit to him.”

“We knew from the nature of the surface that things could happen late in the Test but Sarfaraz was probably the difference. We couldve won had we got him earlier.”

“If he didn’t play as positive as he did throughout the day then we would have been able to take the new ball because we would have had a lot more runs to play with.”

“You play to win Test matches and we got ourselves in, probably, positions to win both of them,"

“It was pretty tough going but the guys toiled away and we were one ball away from a series victory."

“So yeah, disappointing to walk away (0-0) and I’m sure Pakistan are the same.”