*Official* Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2018

[Athlai]

Bah, went to bed after Southee's wicket, was really hoping for one or two more. First session today could decide the outcome of the test. NZ must get at least 2 or I suspect Pakistan will run away with this.

They'd need a 100+ lead to become out and out favourites IMO.

 

[straw man]

seems fairly even, perhaps Pakistan with a nose in front. It's probably down to the calibre of spinners but it didn't seem like the same pitch Pakistan was bowling on. Southee looked rusty and Ajaz was bowling too full before I went to bed. Was slightly impressed by Somerville in that he wasn't terrible. If the pitch turns a bit more he could bag 2-3.

AWTA, especially about not getting as much from the pitch. Our spinners bowled ok I thought, Ajaz a touch full, but they certainly don't put as many revs on the ball as Yasir Shah or Bilal Asif.

Still there've been a handful of false shots from the batsmen and we're keeping the runs down. Not sure how exactly but need to find two wickets *somehow* and get down to Sarfraz. He's been in poor form though could easily turn that around. But if not, Pakistan's tail hasn't done much. Second new ball in 19 overs extremely important. Didn't notice any reverse with this one, which is annoying considering how Hasan Ali has reversed the ball all series.

 

[Gomez656]

https://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/105465/mohammad-hafeez-to-retire-from-tests-after-abu-dhabi-game

Hafeez announced his retirement from test cricket

 

[the big bambino]

Breaking News.

 

[Gomez656]

Breaking News.

Big big problem for Pakistan for Boxing day tests

Hafeez (retired)
Imam (*110 runs off 9 innings vs quality bowling*)
Zaman ( knee problem)
S.Masood?
Abid Ali?

* 54 in 4 vs eng & 56 in 5 vs NZ *

 

[Gomez656]

On-going test,most boring I ever see live on TV
I remember aus/Pak test of 90 overs with 105 runs
Yesterday 184 runs for 90 overs, so boring

 

[NZTailender]

On-going test, most boring I ever see live on TV
I remember aus/Pak test of 90 overs with 105 runs
Yesterday 184 runs for 90 overs, so boring

Or is it two teams, both with their major flaws, working hard through them rather than going "cbf let's t20 it"?

Test cricket is only boring when it rains or there's a mismatch between sides.

 

[Borges]

The Kiwi spinners haven't looked threatening at all so far. They have been tight, but to get a wicket they would need the batsman to do something quite silly.

 

[nzfan]

Ajaz's delivery for seam position and decent revs. Will Sommerville although consistent with line and length has wobbly seam. Not as much revs as well?

The test match is well poised, couple of wickets early in the morning and it'll get even. For now Pakistan slightly ahead.

 

[Zinzan]

Bah, went to bed after Southee's wicket, was really hoping for one or two more. .

You and me both. Even more ominous is how easy it looks for Pakistan in these few overs I've seen this morning.

The pitch doesn't seem to have any alarms yet...could be a long day.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Pakistan collapse coming up soon, one gets the feeling.

NZ will win this match looking at the way things have gone so far

Excellent post. Keep it up.

 

[Zinzan]

Pakistan collapse coming up soon, one gets the feeling.

NZ will win this match looking at the way things have gone so far

Ah your Ghambiring is so bad, it almost needs another word, exclusively for you.

 

[Zinzan]

Excellent post. Keep it up.

Beat me to it.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Ah your Ghambiring is so bad, it almost needs another word, exclusively for you.

He's the GOAT. Me, *****, morgieb and hb have a lot of catching up to do if we wish to reach his level.

 

[Moss]

Pakistan starting out well.Still 14 overs to go for the new ball so hope KW has some plans for the next hour.

 

[Zinzan]

He's the GOAT. Me, *****, morgieb and hb have a lot of catching up to do if we wish to reach his level.

Indeed. He's Bradman, compared to us mere mortals averaging in the mid to late 50s.

 

[Prince EWS]

He's the GOAT. Me, *****, morgieb and hb have a lot of catching up to do if we wish to reach his level.

Morgie rarely Gambhirs, he's just really pessimistic and has no idea when he's being stupid about it. When he gets called on it he says it's Gambhiring, but it rarely is.

 

[Zinzan]

0/43 off 16 overs..Ajaz's runs coming a little too easy relatively speaking.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Morgie rarely Gambhirs, he's just really pessimistic and has no idea when he's being stupid about it. When he gets called on it he says it's Gambhiring, but it rarely is.

It's a reach to assume the rest of the names I named aren't merely extremely stupid as well.

 

[Prince EWS]

It's a reach to assume the rest of the names I named aren't merely extremely stupid as well.

Deliberate Gambhiring is even stupider than just being pessimistic/wrong though, so it still fits.