Pak-New Zealand test set for exciting final day finish
By ANITuesday, January 18, 2011
WELLINGTON - Pakistan needs 274 runs on the final day to win the second Test against New Zealand after bowling the hosts out for 293 late on the fourth day.
Umar Gul ripped through New Zealand’s tail, taking two wickets in two balls, as the hosts lost four wickets for seven runs late on Tuesday.
The game was disrupted for 23 minutes in the final session when rain forced the players off the field, The News reports.
Just as the ground staff had laid the first covers over the pitch, the rain just as quickly stopped and the players returned seven minutes later.
New Zealand suffered a blow in their quest for quick runs when the aggressive Jesse Ryder was bowled for 17 on the first delivery after the rain delay when he did not play a shot at a straight ball from part-time off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, The News reports.
James Franklin (six) also fell to Hafeez when he edged a ball to Younus Khan before Ross Taylor (52) and Reece Young (20) combined for a 60-run partnership that helped extend the lead before they both fell with the score at 268.
Young was caught in close by Azhar Ali off Rehman, while Taylor was trapped in front by Gul, who then bowled Vettori for one and trapped Brent Arnel for a duck to set up the hat-trick opportunity, The News reports.
Pakistan had been bowled out for 376, a first-innings advantage of 20 runs, late on Monday. They hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and are seeking their first Test series victory since 2006. (ANI)
