2nd Test: New Zealand v Pakistan at Dubai (DSC) Nov 17-21, 2014

[TheParraboy]

NZ all out 403

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Pakistan 2/34, both openers out.

 

[Red Bear]

Ali and Khan are a couple of batsmen in reasonable form.

Shows how important the toss is though.

 

[TheParraboy]

crucial NZ get at least 2-3 wickets in the morning session today and keep the choke on

Hopefully bowl out Pakistan for well under 300

 

[JJ]

well, we collapsed as I feared - but good to get two quick wickets - really needed 500 I think, in the balance now...

 

[edabomb]

This could be one of those very rare current day test matches where 450 overs are bowled and it is drawn.

NZ are ripe for one of their third innings collapses. Pakistan attack did not look threatening at all in the first innings though - see how the pitch looks tomorrow I guess.

 

[TheParraboy]

Pak 5/222 - 15 overs left

another couple of wickets would be great

Hopefully a 100 plus lead on the way

 

[Twizzle]

draw coming up

 

[TheParraboy]

NZ need to bowl them out in the first session, preferably in the first hour today.
Otherwise they wont have much of a lead, maybe even trail on the first innings

NZ 404 (156 overs) run rate 2.58
Pak 6/281 (109 overs) run rate 2.57

neck and neck

2 days remain

 

[edabomb]

Yeah the slow scoring has neutered this match.

If we got to the third at 1-0 Pakistan should just throw a tar-seal on the pitch :lol:

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Does vettori still play? He's disappeared off the face of the earth

 

[TheParraboy]

Does vettori still play? He's disappeared off the face of the earth

Played ODIs for NZ last month v South Africa, since then playing t20 in the kiwi comp

Id say retired from test cricket?

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Sarfraz scores a great hundred. Pakistan trail by 25 runs with the last wicket partnership worth 66 (ali contributing 8).

Sarfraz is quickly becoming a very fine test player.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

NZ 6/167 lead by 177. Taylor on 77 with the spinners taking the wickets.

The Bleck Ceps need to score about 80 more to be safe. Should be a cracker of a last day.

 

[TheParraboy]

Id like to see the kiwis bowled out for around 210 setting Pakistan 220 odd to win, with just over 2 sessions of play remaining on a 5th day wicket.

Be disappointing for Pakistan and test cricket if they played for a draw from ball 1, if a realistic target was achievable. But understandable if the target was a bit too much

 

[AlwaysGreen]

It's a tricky one for NZ. They need to win the match but if they declare too early or get bowled out with a lead of less than 200 they're a chance of losing. If they bat too long they won't have time to bowl Pakistan out.

 

[edabomb]

I think it may be taken out of their hands - tail enders will do well to survive more than 15 overs. 40-50 runs in the first hour would be good - setting Pakistan 210-220 in 75 overs. Scoring at 3/over in this test has been very hard without taking risks.

I think NZ have to gamble a bit here - no point playing for the draw and then going to game 3 with the risk of losing the toss.

 

[TheParraboy]

simple dropped catch by Pakistan at slip, interesting

NZ now 6/189, lead by 199
Taylor 92*

 

[TheParraboy]

NZ 6/215, lead of 225
Taylor 98*

78 overs minimum left today

NZ cant lose this match. Go the tonk, get another 30-35 odd and set them 260 from about 70 overs

 

[Timbo]

Great effort by Taylor, there's some vicious turn out there.

Hard to not see a draw coming up, I don't think Craig and Sodhi will be able to spin them home.