*Official* Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2018

[Bahnz]

I know the situation is bad, but Watling has got to do a better job of rotating the strike. No point in dead-batting everything (and clothing the odd full toss) and just waiting for the one that rolls on to middle. Doesn't need to go hunting boundaries but he has to start picking the gaps.

 

[Zinzan]

Just saw the wickets. Pretty jammy from Yasir; a ground grubber & and an unlikely under-edge back on to the stumps.

 

[Zinzan]

Classy knock. Make it a biggen.

 

[Borges]

Classy knock. Make it a biggen.

Yes! This Williamson is so so good. Good against pace and the best in the universe against spin.

 

[Zinzan]

I know the situation is bad, but Watling has got to do a better job of rotating the strike. No point in dead-batting everything (and clothing the odd full toss) and just waiting for the one that rolls on to middle. Doesn't need to go hunting boundaries but he has to start picking the gaps.

14 off 66 ain't too flash.

 

[Moss]

14 off 66 ain't too flash.

We'd have happily taken 14 off 66 from Taylor or Nicholls, but yeah he does need to ease the burden on Kane a bit.

 

[Bahnz]

14 from 14 overs at the crease now.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Well, very happy with that session despite the slow scoring. Pakistan last test showed run rate isn't everything.

 

[Moss]

Sounds like it was an exceptionally probing spell from Hasan Ali. Watling might have dug himself into a hole for the time being but who knows we may be thanking him later for it. Doesn't sound like CdG would fancy coming out right about now.

 

[Zinzan]

Excellent session from NZ, and yes Hasan was getting it reversing quite nicely there. Pleased he was bowling at the two Ws, and not CDG with that shape.

 

[straw man]

The first innings in Dubai clearly very present in Watling's mind though - all we needed was anyone to stick with Williamson and allow Williamson to just bat, and the innings wouldn't have been the debacle that it was.

I missed most of that session. How many balls since Watling scored a run? Over 30.

Wanted to score 400+ batting first but might just have to accept 350 I'm afraid. The last five wickets can contribute 30 so that just leaves another 175 to this pair. C'mon guyz.

 

[Zinzan]

The first innings in Dubai clearly very present in Watling's mind though - all we needed was anyone to stick with Williamson and allow Williamson to just bat, and the innings wouldn't have been the debacle that it was.

I missed most of that session. How many balls since Watling scored a run? Over 30.

Wanted to score 400+ batting first but might just have to accept 350 I'm afraid. The last five wickets can contribute 30 so that just leaves another 175 to this pair. C'mon guyz.

Mate, I'd take 280 let alone 350 in a heart-beat from here.

 

[straw man]

Incidentally, is Raval ever going to go on?

Tried replying to this earlier but phone/website ate it.

I was pretty gutted when Raval got out here as I thought today might just be the day. Looking for that maiden test century, at his usual scoring rate he'd need 250-300 balls, which is huge against probing bowling in these conditions. However today he roared along to near 50 from 80 balls and from there, another 50 looked much more achievable.

He's a diligent player who's done ok for us (obviously, there is noone else) and I hope he can get the satisfaction of a hundred later in the summer. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at home a pretty good chance.

 

[straw man]

Mate, I'd take 280 let alone 350 in a heart-beat from here.

I was being ah, optimistic

 

[TT Boy]

Bilal Asif has really struggled since the debut innings with the ball. 5 wickets in last 8 innings, average above 60 and taking a wicket every 25 overs.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Another 365 partnership from this pair would be nice ... at the current rate Williamson will have to score 300 of them though!

 

[straw man]

This hundred partnership was desperately needed.

That grubber is going to play on batsmens' minds. Maybe we don't need 400 after all.

 

[straw man]

Kane you donkey

 

[The Hutt Rec]

It's looking like it'll be a nightmare to bat on last if the irregular bounce becomes more common.

Oh no.

 

[vcs]

The world needs more Kane Williamson. Eagerly hoping for a 100 from him here.

I hope NZ can somehow get 300+, maybe even more if the Pakistan bowlers have been blunted sufficiently. Been a long and painful vigil from these two.

EDIT : Bollocks