**Official** Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2014

[NZTailender]

Not near a tv tonight (somewhat thankfully). Not really keen on seeing any play, except maybe some Baz overs.

 

[harsh.ag]

Cricinfo commentors:

Farrukh: "I have a complaint. Every time someone gets a ton, cricinfo commentators describe the moment the batsman reachers three figures in excruciating detail, all those screams, bat raising, air punching, kiss the ground, kiss blown to wife, prayers, partner hugging, note brandishing, followed by a heap of praise . But everytime Shahzad gets to a landmark, be it a 50 or 100, it's described like a sidenote, in less than a sentence. Just a well done, or 'gets to a hundred. Nice'. Not making this up, I've checked previous commentaries "

 

[harsh.ag]

Azhar Ali just likes to asphyxiate a bowler's soul doesn't he?

 

[Jono]

That is just baffling slips positioning.

 

[Daemon]

yeah wtf was that

 

[harsh.ag]

Just goes to show how good Johnson was really.

 

[r3alist]

Pretty much, normally he is a tad slower in scoring, this is not a bad pace for azhar.

Good batting here, despite the good conditions Pakistani batsmen have been disciplined and focused. These innings are just what the youngsters need, build up confidence, and belief.

 

[Gnske]

Look at the bright side, at least Australia didn't have to go through 3 tests of this.

 

[Spark]

Look at the bright side, at least Australia didn't have to go through 3 tests of this.

Haha, indeed.

Just relentless from Pakistan.

 

[Dan]

80.15 under threat, perhaps?

 

[Howe_zat]

Doom and gloom thread bump in 3, 2, 1...

 

[flibbertyjibber]

80.15 under threat, perhaps?

No perhaps about it.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Doom and gloom thread bump in 3, 2, 1...

Na, Tim Southee number 2 thread.

 

[Dan]

I can hear Bradburn from here:

"If you'd picked Devcich his X-Factor batting and handy left-arm-spin would have worked, since Devcich totally isn't comparable to the failed Australian selection of Glenn Maxwell at all. Look at what I've done with Leask over here! The Agribusiness must live on!"

 

[BeeGee]

Look at the bright side, at least Australia didn't have to go through 3 tests of this.

The only good thing for NZ in having 3 tests is the NZ selectors will have seen the error of their ways in playing 2 spinners by the 3rd test and Wagner will get a game and take a bag of wickets. Just like the Bangladesh and West Indies tours.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Just completely ground them to dust today. And Misbah and Younis aren't even in

I do think, however, that NZ will bat better than Australia. Although a lot will depend on KW and Taylor. Btw, how long has it been since a lineup was dependant so much on a batsman this young?

 

[Jono]

Well NZ were relying on Taylor and Ryder about 5 years ago right? And McCullum wasn't as good back then as he is now.

 

[Days of Grace]

Since India overseas 1990-1999

 

[Energetic]

It makes no sense to play New Zealand for 3 matches in these conditions. This team embarrassingly flopped against Bangladesh in such conditions last year. It was a boring first day.

 

[harsh.ag]

Just completely ground them to dust today. And Misbah and Younis aren't even in

I do think, however, that NZ will bat better than Australia. Although a lot will depend on KW and Taylor. Btw, how long has it been since a lineup was dependant so much on a batsman this young?

India 1992.