[VIDEO] New Zealand win 1st Test by 101 runs despite heroics by Fawad Alam (102) and M. Rizwan (60)

[MenInG]

Match situation as it stands at Stumps on Day 4:

NZ 431 & 180/5 d
PAK 239 & 71/3 (38) CRR: 1.87
Day 4: Stumps - Pakistan need 302 runs

Azhar Ali said that the first session will be crucial to Pakistan's survival but can they fightback? Will Fawad Alam bring his experience to bear?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I have no idea as to what advice was given to these players for the Day 3 approach, everyone was involved in a block-a-thon. If Pakistan lost this game it was because of that poor approach on day 3. I just hope some fightback happens tonight and hey you never know the expectations with them are low so who knows if they play with some freedom. Spinner in Santner won't be as effective as the Pakistan batsmen will just eat him up.

 

[Mueez]

So disappointed with Haris Sohail. Expected much better from him.

Had he been not out we would’ve been in a decent position to win the test.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

It’d be a miracle if we survive 2 sessions

 

[UzmanBeast]

Match situation as it stands at Stumps on Day 4:

NZ 431 & 180/5 d
PAK 239 & 71/3 (38) CRR: 1.87
Day 4: Stumps - Pakistan need 302 runs

Azhar Ali said that the first session will be crucial to Pakistan's survival but can they fightback? Will Fawad Alam bring his experience to bear?


View attachment 105711

What's good is that we've at least negated most of the swing, and the ball should not swing after the first session.

What we failed to do was keep our wickets, because if we were even two down, I'd still say we had a really good chance. 3 down means that we have just a few more batsmen before our tail-enders come.

We need a big innings from Azhar, and this partnership has to be equally as big to even have a chance to win the game. What I hope is that our players understand when to pursue the win and when to settle for the draw. Optimism is good but it should have been seen earlier.

A draw is equally as valuable as a win for us because it gives us a chance to plan for the second test, where we will have a much stronger team.

I hope that we can win, and we aren't ruled out just yet. But it will take a memorable performance and a great spirit to turn the tide in our favor.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

What's good is that we've at least negated most of the swing, and the ball should not swing after the first session.

What we failed to do was keep our wickets, because if we were even two down, I'd still say we had a really good chance. 3 down means that we have just a few more batsmen before our tail-enders come.

We need a big innings from Azhar, and this partnership has to be equally as big to even have a chance to win the game. What I hope is that our players understand when to pursue the win and when to settle for the draw. Optimism is good but it should have been seen earlier.

A draw is equally as valuable as a win for us because it gives us a chance to plan for the second test, where we will have a much stronger team.

I hope that we can win, and we aren't ruled out just yet. But it will take a memorable performance and a great spirit to turn the tide in our favor.

You can forget winning, no chance of us doing that it's just a matter of survival now in my eyes and both these guys making some decent runs so that they go into the next test with some confidence.

Really counting on Faadi to score big after that disappointing and unusual first innings performance.

 

[BChaudhry02]

Here in the US, we are lucky enough to have both the Pak-NZ and Ind-Aus matches on at the same time. It's pretty interesting to switch between the matches, because the level of play between Pak and Ind could not be more stark.

With Ind, you see youngsters like Shubman Gill literally take on the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins in their own backyard with aggressive hooks, pulls and drives (and that to on debut!). With Pak, you have TTFs like Shaan Masood and Abid Ali literally act like its against the rules to hold on to catches, run between the wickets, and score runs. Keep in mind, this is the same Abid Ali who, after padding his stats against a hopeless SL at home, said that Jimmy and Stuart would be no problem for him...

With Ind, you see a bowling quartet that actually bowls fast and a spinner who can take wickets. With Pak, there is literally no hope besides Shaheen. If Naseem Shah is saved only for tests, there is no excuse as to why he isn't clocking 145+ in every over. With Abbas, what good is he after the first 10 overs? I've literally never see him do anything threatening after the initial burst. And Yasir Shah...a shell of his former self.

All in all, Pak is exactly where it should be. With the hierarchy comprised of Misbah and Waqar, the only surprising fact is how we continue to be surprised by this team's inept performance. The team is full of trundlers like Haris Sohail who literally would not find a place in any other team in the world. Thank you to Misbah and Waqar for wasting talents like Sami Aslam and Junaid Khan, who are tailor-made for such tours.

SMH 24/7, 365.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

So disappointed with Haris Sohail. Expected much better from him.

Had he been not out we would’ve been in a decent position to win the test.

I reckon he needs to re-think his test career and possibly look to focus on white ball cricket only either that or really look into proper rehabilitation/working on that fitness of his.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Here in the US, we are lucky enough to have both the Pak-NZ and Ind-Aus matches on at the same time. It's pretty interesting to switch between the matches, because the level of play between Pak and Ind could not be more stark.

With Ind, you see youngsters like Shubman Gill literally take on the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins in their own backyard with aggressive hooks, pulls and drives (and that to on debut!). With Pak, you have TTFs like Shaan Masood and Abid Ali literally act like its against the rules to hold on to catches, run between the wickets, and score runs. Keep in mind, this is the same Abid Ali who, after padding his stats against a hopeless SL at home, said that Jimmy and Stuart would be no problem for him...

With Ind, you see a bowling quartet that actually bowls fast and a spinner who can take wickets. With Pak, there is literally no hope besides Shaheen. If Naseem Shah is saved only for tests, there is no excuse as to why he isn't clocking 145+ in every over. With Abbas, what good is he after the first 10 overs? I've literally never see him do anything threatening after the initial burst. And Yasir Shah...a shell of his former self.

All in all, Pak is exactly where it should be. With the hierarchy comprised of Misbah and Waqar, the only surprising fact is how we continue to be surprised by this team's inept performance. The team is full of trundlers like Haris Sohail who literally would not find a place in any other team in the world. Thank you to Misbah and Waqar for wasting talents like Sami Aslam and Junaid Khan, who are tailor-made for such tours.

SMH 24/7, 365.

I'm jealous you guys get to watch for free on ESPN.

 

[UzmanBeast]

You can forget winning, no chance of us doing that it's just a matter of survival now in my eyes and both these guys making some decent runs so that they go into the next test with some confidence.

Really counting on Faadi to score big after that disappointing and unusual first innings performance.

Drawing the game should be the backup plan. If our players are confident, then we should try to win the game, because it's not impossible.

However, the difference is that our players must understand the stage where we need to switch to drawing the game. If we lose one of Fawad or Azhar early, then go for the draw. If you don't, then put some pressure back on New Zealand and try to go for the win.

 

[imshally81]

I want to see some fightback..

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Drawing the game should be the backup plan. If our players are confident, then we should try to win the game, because it's not impossible.

However, the difference is that our players must understand the stage where we need to switch to drawing the game. If we lose one of Fawad or Azhar early, then go for the draw. If you don't, then put some pressure back on New Zealand and try to go for the win.

Yep i mean i still don't see any major demons on the pitch, you might get some uneven bounce but it's just a matter of picking your shots carefully. I hope that both Azhar and Fawad get 50s and from there they say right what shall we do now that we have that crucial milestone out of the way.

I was just completely depressed by that day 3 performance and just could not understand the block-a-thon for the life of me, whether that was all them or the advise from management it was terrible.

 

[world cup captain]

I'm jealous you guys get to watch for free on ESPN.

It's not free, $5.99 a month.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It's not free, $5.99 a month.

oh ok, i thought it would be via the CricInfo website for US customers, news to me bro.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Yep i mean i still don't see any major demons on the pitch, you might get some uneven bounce but it's just a matter of picking your shots carefully. I hope that both Azhar and Fawad get 50s and from there they say right what shall we do now that we have that crucial milestone out of the way.

I was just completely depressed by that day 3 performance and just could not understand the block-a-thon for the life of me, whether that was all them or the advise from management it was terrible.

Yeah the pitch is not as bad as we are making it to be. The danger our batsmen will face is about the right shot selection and foot movement, as you mentioned.

 

[Yk313]

So disappointed with Haris Sohail. Expected much better from him.

Had he been not out we would’ve been in a decent position to win the test.

Why? His technique and track record is for all to see, right? Apologies if I am missing something but not sure why PP has so much faith in him.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Here in the US, we are lucky enough to have both the Pak-NZ and Ind-Aus matches on at the same time.

lol What the heck? There is nothing here to be lucky about.

It doesn't matter whether you are in the U.S. are not, the matches are happening at the same time no matter where in the world are you watching from.

With Ind, you see youngsters like Shubman Gill literally take on the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins in their own backyard with aggressive hooks, pulls and drives (and that to on debut!). With Pak, you have TTFs like Shaan Masood and Abid Ali literally act like its against the rules to hold on to catches, run between the wickets, and score runs. Keep in mind, this is the same Abid Ali who, after padding his stats against a hopeless SL at home, said that Jimmy and Stuart would be no problem for him...

With Ind, you see a bowling quartet that actually bowls fast and a spinner who can take wickets. With Pak, there is literally no hope besides Shaheen. If Naseem Shah is saved only for tests, there is no excuse as to why he isn't clocking 145+ in every over. With Abbas, what good is he after the first 10 overs? I've literally never see him do anything threatening after the initial burst. And Yasir Shah...a shell of his former self.

All in all, Pak is exactly where it should be. With the hierarchy comprised of Misbah and Waqar, the only surprising fact is how we continue to be surprised by this team's inept performance. The team is full of trundlers like Haris Sohail who literally would not find a place in any other team in the world. Thank you to Misbah and Waqar for wasting talents like Sami Aslam and Junaid Khan, who are tailor-made for such tours.

SMH 24/7, 365.

Yes, it's all pretty obvious; however it's a two fold problem. And we should probably try to come up with some solution when we identify a problem.

You said you got trundlers in the national team?

Well, your Shaheens got all out yesterday for 97 and miserably lost the game (this match was also happening in the same time regardless of whether you are in the U.S., are not).
So there goes your bench strength.
Trundlers not only rule in your national squad but they are rampant in your Jr. Squads too.

Our domestic cricket standard is absolutely poor enough to be able to continuously churn out international quality batsman and we have a SEVERE lack of talent.
These "Talent spotter" threads on PP are as cringe worthy as it gets.

And the second problem is indeed Misbah and Waqar.
Whatever little talented player shows up in domestic and we try to fast track him into the national team, gets slaughtered by these two.

 

[Omer2002]

People called haris a saviour i had absolute no hope of him but thought he might do better than faddy but obviously not..abid is just awful and worst culprit is shan how many soft dismissals he has had after i thought he had improved.

The fact of matter is we have no talent and thats a fact. We just hype players because to be honest we are desperate. Gulam shakeel etc will do.nothing at international level mark my word

 

[imshally81]

People called haris a saviour i had absolute no hope of him but thought he might do better than faddy but obviously not..abid is just awful and worst culprit is shan how many soft dismissals he has had after i thought he had improved.

The fact of matter is we have no talent and thats a fact. We just hype players because to be honest we are desperate. Gulam shakeel etc will do.nothing at international level mark my word

Even Imam is better than Abid (I hate to say)

 

[Shoaibbtt]

People called haris a saviour i had absolute no hope of him but thought he might do better than faddy but obviously not..abid is just awful and worst culprit is shan how many soft dismissals he has had after i thought he had improved.

The fact of matter is we have no talent and thats a fact. We just hype players because to be honest we are desperate. Gulam shakeel etc will do.nothing at international level mark my word

I think we can put it down to the lack of test matches played in a year along with A series to better prepare players add to that Covid has not helped matters.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Even Imam is better than Abid (I hate to say)

People kept talking about Imam as if he was Kevin Pieterson, what was he gonna do produce a 10 ball 100??? he deserved to be dropped on the back of his performances. We need to be patient with this bunch and hope they do something now, if it provides any solace India were no better against NZ in NZ. NZ are just beasts at home and the rankings of their bowlers speaks for itself.

 

[Mueez]

oh ok, i thought it would be via the CricInfo website for US customers, news to me bro.

It’s free in Europe if I’m not wrong. I watch it on Youtube on the official channel of New Zealand Cricket.

 

[Mueez]

Why? His technique and track record is for all to see, right? Apologies if I am missing something but not sure why PP has so much faith in him.

Brother Haris is one of those batsmen who on their day can look like a million dollars worth however those days of Haris are gone.

Also his fitness and lazy body language bring a negative vibe.

I really thought Haris was a genuine bat but he’s proven me wrong with his performances...

 

[Thunderbolt14]

It’s free in Europe if I’m not wrong. I watch it on Youtube on the official channel of New Zealand Cricket.

Lucky you

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Brother Haris is one of those batsmen who on their day can look like a million dollars worth however those days of Haris are gone.

Also his fitness and lazy body language bring a negative vibe.

I really thought Haris was a genuine bat but he’s proven me wrong with his performances...

Misbah complained about this attitude in 2019 in particular about Sarfraz, Imad and Haris. Fact is i don't think Haris is built for the long game but is suitable for t20s/Odis.

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

Lucky you

Download a vpn and you can be lucky too.
I watch it on YouTube as well even though the stream aint available here in Pakistan.

 

[ataullah]

People called haris a saviour i had absolute no hope of him but thought he might do better than faddy but obviously not..abid is just awful and worst culprit is shan how many soft dismissals he has had after i thought he had improved.

The fact of matter is we have no talent and thats a fact. We just hype players because to be honest we are desperate. Gulam shakeel etc will do.nothing at international level mark my word

Lol i fear and feel the same. Only way out is pick young players and back them for a few years. I'd puck Saud, kamran ghulam, haider Ali and Abdullah shafiq and just let them develop for a few years. In bowling surprisingly i feel we have less talent for red ball cricket. I think Haris Rauf and hasnain could be good and zafar gohar but haris and hasnain haven't played much red ball cricket sadly. What u reckon [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] and [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]?

 

[Mueez]

Lucky you

Haha yes sir!

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Download a vpn and you can be lucky too.
I watch it on YouTube as well even though the stream aint available here in Pakistan.

I already forked over the $6, didn’t want to go through the entire hassle, that too if it might take time to buffer. Plus the ESPN app lets me play the match on a mini-player at the corner of my phone screen so I can do other things while I’m at it. Don’t mind it entirely to be honest

 

[ataullah]

Babar
Imam/Sharjeel
Saud
Abdullah
Haider
Rizwan
Faheem
Zafar
Hasan Ali
Shaheen
Hasnain/Shahnawaz

This team if given a few years to develop would surprise people but Pakistan fans and management have no patience at all.
What u think [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] @bulletdrive?

 

[Slog]

Good luck to the boys. Hopefully these 2 can stay on till atleast lunch. Rizwan has showed character all throughout the past 6 months so he is someone who can also play a solid hand.

 

[Slog]

Here in the US, we are lucky enough to have both the Pak-NZ and Ind-Aus matches on at the same time..

Lol that’s the case EVERYWHERE in the world. Why do you say as if that’s only the case in USA lmao. ‘We are lucky enough’

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Lol i fear and feel the same. Only way out is pick young players and back them for a few years. I'd puck Saud, kamran ghulam, haider Ali and Abdullah shafiq and just let them develop for a few years. In bowling surprisingly i feel we have less talent for red ball cricket. I think Haris Rauf and hasnain could be good and zafar gohar but haris and hasnain haven't played much red ball cricket sadly. What u reckon [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] and [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]?

I’ve been saying this about Haris for a while, I admire his amazing natural ability but I just don’t know how he makes the team on form, fitness, or fielding. Does he have the stamina to get a 100?

Abid is a very good subcontinental player, since his technical flaws are hidden on low bounce wickets and he knows how to build a big innings. Thrashing even Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for daddy hundreds is commendable considering we don’t have many other players who can do that, not even Babar who always seems to lose concentration after crossing 100. But he’s a sitting duck overseas, and isn’t a long term option either. Why play him when you can develop a long-term option at the same spot, and hopefully teach them to play off the backfoot more?

As for replacements, we need to go for young domestic performers. Saud, Kamran, and Haider are next in line for Test callups. (Haider based on first class last year, NOT his T20 performances). Folks like Abdullah Shafique, Hasnain, Rauf have potential but need to play more first class cricket, right now they should not even be considered for 4 day Shaheens games.

Zafar Gohar - I fully expect him to play against South Africa in a month’s time.

 

[RehanG]

Pakistan to win by 2 wickets, 7 to win in the last over of the match. Shaheen edging one to the third-man for 4. And on the last ball of the match Pak needing one more and Shaheen and Faheem get it.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Babar
Imam/Sharjeel
Saud
Abdullah
Haider
Rizwan
Faheem
Zafar
Hasan Ali
Shaheen
Hasnain/Shahnawaz

This team if given a few years to develop would surprise people but Pakistan fans and management have no patience at all.
What u think [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] @bulletdrive?

Best batsman should bat at 3 or 4. Also no point reverting to Sharjeel, because even if he immediately makes an impact, we will have to replace him in 2 years (and there’s no guarantee he’ll make an impact).

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Kamran Ghulam
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Sajid Khan
10. Hassan Ali
11. Shaheen Afridi

This is a good young core to work with. But it’s unwise to make too many changes too quickly, so I expect Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Azhar Ali to stick around for another year or so.

Azhar’s performance in today’s match will define his future in the Pakistan team. Already an excellent hundred against England, but he needs to reliably make those kinds of scores rather than every other year.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

In 2011 vs NZ in NZ we were in a similiar situation. Misbah and Younis rescued us from.40/3 and saw out the rest of the day.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...nd-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-473922/full-scorecard

 

[Darkrai]

So who is ready for this epic record-breaking chase?

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Download a vpn and you can be lucky too.
I watch it on YouTube as well even though the stream aint available here in Pakistan.

This free app hasn't been doing too bad either.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Gents i think Day 5 is live streaming via the NZC YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPx9lXWX8Io

 

[Slog]

Gents i think Day 5 is live streaming via the NZC YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPx9lXWX8Io

Lol I’ll be so ****** if I find out I’m paying for ESPN subscription when there was this free option. Its only $6pm but free ka alag maza hota hai

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Lol I’ll be so ****** if I find out I’m paying for ESPN subscription when there was this free option. Its only $6pm but free ka alag maza hota hai

It's only day 5 the rest was not available.

 

[Rana]

It's only day 5 the rest was not available.

Lol even they are shocked this has gone into day 5

 

[Shoaibbtt]

In 2011 vs NZ in NZ we were in a similiar situation. Misbah and Younis rescued us from.40/3 and saw out the rest of the day.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...nd-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-473922/full-scorecard

Compare that bowling line up to today, big difference.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Lol even they are shocked this has gone into day 5

Fair enough, get to watch in HD or on the big screen if you have a smart TV.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Babar
Imam/Sharjeel
Saud
Abdullah
Haider
Rizwan
Faheem
Zafar
Hasan Ali
Shaheen
Hasnain/Shahnawaz

This team if given a few years to develop would surprise people but Pakistan fans and management have no patience at all.
What u think [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] @bulletdrive?

You guys have no patience now to be honest, you just hope for some players to fail and slate the oldies as if being old is a bad thing. Imam-ul-haq was given ample chances and he didn't perform, he needs to work on himself in domestic and English County cricket.

 

[Rana]

Nervy stuff

 

[Rana]

If I were Fawad I would bat out of my crease to Southee. He is too deep in his crease I think. Sitting duck for a ball that will just stay too low

 

[imshally81]

Start with Maiden over

 

[imshally81]

4444

 

[imshally81]

Out

 

[Napa]

Rooting for Pakistan to draw or win this. Has nothing to do with the fact that it would help India reach the Test Championship final

Jinxed as soon as I said it!

 

[Shoaibbtt]

disappointing dismissal

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Azhar

 

[Rajdeep]

Supporting Pakistan because if they save this test match India will benefit in test championship.

 

[Rana]

No chance of surviving today

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Don’t laugh, that’s the third last innings of Azhar Ali’s Test career. Deserves some more respect

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Is it going to finish this session itself

 

[Saj]

Another weak dismissal.

Poor stuff.

 

[Rajdeep]

Azhar

 

[Mueez]

Oh Azhar

 

[imshally81]

It was easy leave.. But Azhar

 

[imshally81]

Don’t laugh, that’s the third last innings of Azhar Ali’s Test career. Deserves some more respect

Soch hey ap ki...

 

[hur rizvi]

Don’t laugh, that’s the third last innings of Azhar Ali’s Test career. Deserves some more respect

You are hugely mistaken if you think that Azhar Ali wont start in XI against SA

 

[mazkhan]

Very poor way to get out

 

[Zeshan547]

No top order batman worth his salt would play thi such away from body in this scenario, this is as poor a technique as possible, mind boggling. And he is our number 3. Leech.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Azhar Ali. What a bad shot.

 

[Rana]

Rizwan was in control of that pull

 

[Deewana Mastana]

All that for Azhar's quick chat earlier with Rebecca "It is like asian like wicket and just take it session by session not bad to bat on this"

 

[Omer2002]

Easy peasy leave..n what was that azars interview...n why did rizwan just go for the hook. Do they even have a plan

 

[Mueez]

Fawad if you pull this heist off............

 

[Dantheone]

It's like watching slow death...

 

[Rana]

All that for Azhar's quick chat earlier with Rebecca "It is like asian like wicket and just take it session by session not bad to bat on this"

Guy scores 30 runs and is out giving interviews

 

[Titan24]

That was an ordinary shot from Azhar to get out. After so much experience, getting setup by an inswing followed up by a straighter one outside off is not great.

 

[Rana]

There actually is no heist but there are probably lots of runs available around the field

 

[mazkhan]

I really hope muhamad wasim makes big changes with the selections when it comes to the top order and middle order

Imo abid , shan , azhar Ali should be discarded after this tour along with fawad alam with that ridiculous technique .

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Seriously we deserve to loose very heavily here. But i still think that these guys wont learn frm ther mistakes. Azhar Deffos needs to retire. Getting out on Simple leave balls

 

[Rana]

This one is coming right in...

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Worst possible start for Pakistan and best start for the kiwis. Now we only have Faheem to come. Seriously why why why. Why do we always throw it away. Why Do other teams Work on another level to us.

 

[Dantheone]

Just when Azhar is about to be thrown out, he scores one big score. Then misery follows for many more innings.

 

[MMHS]

If PAK can bail out a draw today, it’ll be more than a win. A Test match saved from a hopeless situation is like a Test match win - before halfway through the Test, PAK was 80/6 with 350+ behind. From there on drawing a Test will proud worthy.