CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: Though Pakistan-New Zealand first Test was reduced to a four-day match after Thursday’s Play was abandoned over bad weather conditions but yet fast bowling-conducive pitch at Hagley Oval in Christchurch kept the match alive.
In response to Pakistan’s first innings score of 133 runs, New Zealand scored 104 for 3 at the end of second day’s play on Friday.
Earlier in the morning, New Zealand won the toss and while bowling first bowled Pakistan out for just 133 runs. Pakistan’s Captain Misbah-ul-Haq scored the highest 31 score for his Side in first innings.
For New Zealand, debutant Colin de Grandhomme took six wickets while Tim Southee and Trent Boult grabbed two wickets each.
Like Pakistani, New Zealand’s top-order batsmen also struggled, and Tom Latham, Captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor returned to pavilion early for just 1, 4 and 11 runs respectively.
But later the Opener Jeet Raval along with Henry Nicholls established a 64 runs partnership for fourth wicket and it still continued. They were on 55 and 29 runs respectively at stumps.
Three Pakistani Pacers Muhammad Amir, Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali bagged 1 wicket each.
Pakistan first Test squad
Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicket Keeper), Yasir Shah, Muhammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali
New Zealand first Test squad
Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (Captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (Wicket Keeper), Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult
The second Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place from November 25 to November 29 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
