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Day 4: NZ v Pakistan

Monday, December 29 2003

Shoaib Akhtar ripped the heart out of the New Zealand batting lineup this morning to leave Pakistan on the brink of victory at the close of play on Day 4.

New Zealand started the day at 75-3 in search of an overall lead of 350-400 and they got off to a reasonable start with Daryl Tuffey and Mark Richardson getting New Zealand through to 95-3 before the carnage occurred with Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed taking 7 wickets between them for just 8 runs in dismissing New Zealand for 103.

This meant Pakistan required 274 for victory which was the biggest target ever required in the 4th innings at the Basin Reserve to achieve victory.

Pakistan went at the target with some positive batting and managed to get on top of the New Zealand bowlers easily who were bowling far too short for the conditions and were picked away at ease.

At the close of play Pakistan had cruised through to 246-3 only requiring another 28 runs for victory with Inzamam-ul-Haq 57* and Yousuf Youhana 73*. Strangely Inzamam-ul-Haq chose not to claim the extra 30 minutes to press for victory meaning Pakistan will be hoping there’s time tomorrow to reach the target what with showers being forecast all day.

If Pakistan win tomorrow it will be New Zealand's first series loss at home in four years and will break a run of nine unbeaten tests. It will also mean New Zealand will move to 4th on the world ratings with Pakistan moving up to 3rd.

Progress Score: Stumps Day 4

New Zealand 366 (J Oram 97, M Richardson 82, D Vettori 44, Shoaib Akhtar 5/48, Shabbir Ahmed 3/87)

Pakistan 196 (Yousuf Youhana 60, Inzamam-ul-Haq 34, Abdul Razzaq 26, I Butler 6/46, J Oram 2/49, D Tuffey 1/46, D Vettori 1/47)

New Zealand 103 (M Richardson 41, S Fleming 24, Shoaib Akhtar 6/30, Shabbir Ahmed 2/30, Danish Kaneria 1/18)

Pakistan 246/3 (Yousuf Youhana 73*, Yasir Hameed 59, Inzamam-ul-Haq 57*, J Oram 1/34, D Vettori 1/59, I Butler 1/82)

Posted by James