Misbah praises Pak bowlers for crushing New Zealand in first Test
By ANISunday, January 9, 2011
HAMILTON - Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-haq has praised his bowlers for sticking to their plans as they ripped through New Zealand’s batting line-up to set up a crushing ten-wicket victory within three days at Seddon Park on Sunday.
Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the two match series after they bowled New Zealand out for just 110 runs in their second innings, and scored 19 runs to achieve the win, having taken a valuable 92-run first innings lead.
“I think the bowlers did a superb job, they stuck to their task and did very well for the team.” SAMAA TV quoted Misbah, as telling reporters.
“I feel that it was really tough, tough wicket to score runs and batsmen could just sit there and face a lot of deliveries without scoring runs… So that was the key, just bowl in the right areas, keep the batsmen frustrated and they would make mistakes,” he added.
With a tally of six for 75 off 45 overs, left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman was adjudged man-of-the-match.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori, while disappointed as his side’s dismal batting performance in the second innings, was all praise for the Pakistan bowlers, especially Wahab Riaz, who took three for 38.
“I think there is some credit, too, to the way Pakistan bowled, particularly Riaz,” said Vettori. “He came in and bowled a 10-over spell which really gave them the impetus to come pretty hard at us.”
“While we will always be disappointed to be bowled out like that, I think you do have to sit back and say it was a good bowling performance,” he added. (ANI)
