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

[OverratedSanity]

I wouldn't say it's CBF, but he definitely looks pissed off about something and it wouldn't surprise me if it's the fact that they didn't want to play.

We're all just jumping to conclusions tbh. Maybe he's targeting Misbah's record. Could have the most sombre world record celebration in history.

 

[Bahnz]

For me it's just been controlled aggression & supreme shot selection so far. Nothing CBF about it.

Haha, still think so?

 

[vandem]

In the Herald story linked above, Alderson (who is there in Sharjah), says "the New Zealanders do not want to be there [...] The Herald understands concerted efforts were made to end the test, but compromise was eventually reached between the Pakistan and New Zealand boards."

Looks correct to me, going by body language of the Kiwis this morning.

 

[Zinzan]

Haha, still think so?

Haha, tbf it's not the first time he's charged in a test, but that was the one totally reckless aberration. Apart from that he's actually looked good against the good balls and murdered the bad ones.

 

[hendrix]

We're all just jumping to conclusions tbh. Maybe he's targeting Misbah's record. Could have the most sombre world record celebration in history.

Andrew Alderson - who is there in Sharjah and is generally very well-informed and close to the players - has specifically written that the players don't want to be out there.

Cricket: Players take their hats off for Hughes - Sport - NZ Herald News

 

[Spikey]

could this be the emotionless version of 7th ODI: India v Australia at Bangalore, Nov 2, 2013 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Dan]

Last time I saw Baz genuinely pissed off, he was walking on to the Basin and made 302.

 

[Athlai]

Wow, some incredible batting here

 

[Zinzan]

This is the reason McCullum should always open in the subcontinent for mine regardless what he does elsewhere. More often than not the easiest runs are against the new ball as Sehwag showed time & time again.

 

[Zinzan]

Wonderful innings of controlled aggressive & magnificent shot selection! Top drawer.

 

[Athlai]

Tears in my eyes. This is a weird day

 

[Bahnz]

That shot were he deliberately spooned it over the slips was pure cbf, but the following push through the covers for 4 was all class. It's hard to get a feel for where his head is at.

 

[social]

I so want McCullum to go big here

Pakistanis are throwing the kitchen sink at him and he is giving it back

Good for cricket after the last few days

 

[Zinzan]

Tears in my eyes. This is a weird day

It's awe-inspiring stuff from NZ today given the circumstances, so often these tough emotional times can bring out the best in players. 8/70 with the ball & now scorching 79/1 with the bat after just 12 overs. I genuinely don't think Pakistan have been spectacularly poor either.

 

[Bahnz]

I do love the hole that McCullum left in the scoreboard with that second 6.

 

[Zinzan]

That shot were he deliberately spooned it over the slips was pure cbf, but the following push through the covers for 4 was all class. It's hard to get a feel for where his head is at.

Again, disagree. Why are we suddenly making out that deliberately lifting the ball over the slips in a test is CBF? It's a relatively safe shot when the pitch has good bounce as this one does today and there's no 3rd-man in place.

 

[Bahnz]

Jeez this is like the middle overs of an ODI now. C'mon Misbah, have some faith in your bowlers ffs.

 

[Maximas]

It's awe-inspiring stuff from NZ today given the circumstances, so often these tough emotional times can bring out the best in players. 8/70 with the ball & now scorching 79/1 with the bat after just 12 overs. I genuinely don't think Pakistan have been spectacularly poor either.

I really don't get the sense the best is being brought out of anyone at the moment tbh

 

[hendrix]

Jeez this is like the middle overs of an ODI now. C'mon Misbah, have some faith in your bowlers ffs.

he's gone real defensive hasn't he? Weird that he's even giving Williamson easy singles.

 

[Zinzan]

I really don't get the sense the best is being brought out of anyone at the moment tbh

You're clearly not watching McCullum's innings then, which is a shame. It's not the first time a NZ team has been awe-inspiring under such circumstances. You should read about Bob Blair in SA in 1953.