*Official* Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2018

[trundler]

Tidy over from Somerville

 

[Moss]

Finally catching up with the match. Exceptional day for Pakistan seemingly.

I see why Southee wasn't played in the first 2 tests. What happened to Wagner?

Wonder if they decided Wagner needed a rest after a heavy workload in the first 2 tests. Apart from that, don't think most of us get it either.

 

[trundler]

Too wide from Southee. Thought he got some rhythm going but the rest of the over went south from there.

 

[straw man]

Going to need a whole lot of patience to work through these two batsmen, who look very comfortable, and the next two. Somerville looks like he'll bowl tightly and so will Ajaz. Missing Wagner already.

Pitch not doing anything unusual right now, would like to see a grubber or two like happened on the first day, just to mess with the batsmens' minds.

 

[Zinzan]

Southee normally bowls well in SC conditions, but looks short of a gallop in the 1-2 overs I've seen.

 

[straw man]

That was a real bonus.

 

[straw man]

Pitch not doing anything unusual right now, would like to see a grubber or two like happened on the first day, just to mess with the batsmens' minds.

Like that. Could've easily bottom-edged onto his stumps.

 

[Meridio]

Good work getting the run rate back under control - 14/1 in the last 10 overs. Only following by Cricinfo but seems like it's going to be a tough slog getting wickets on this pitch at the moment, before hopefully it starts playing up towards stumps.

 

[smash84]

Pakistan collapse coming up soon, one gets the feeling.

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

 

[Borges]

Pakistan collapse coming up soon, one gets the feeling.

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

It is quite evenly poised right now. Pakistan would want to get a first innings lead of fifty runs or so, to compensate for having to bat last.

 

[smash84]

oh, hafeez just announced his retirement from test cricket.

Thank you Hafeez, you tried to do the most with your talent and succeeded many times.

 

[Moss]

Pakistan collapse coming up soon, one gets the feeling.

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

Could be very different tomorrow but so far Pakistan look to be at par without having to work nearly as hard as NZ. Of course NZ don't have to bat last but a lot of things have to come together for them to establish a good lead. The test and series are quite beautifully poised at this point.

 

[trundler]

Tests in the UAE have been weird lately. No real demons in the pitch except on day 5 but run scoring is difficult still. NZ managed to choke Pakistan towards the end and yeah, I feel Pakistan will do something dumb as **** tomorrow and lollapse.

 

[_Ed_]

Hmm, could be better, could be worse. Hope we get some early wickets on day three.

 

[NZTailender]

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.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah well poised test. It's a concern that so much relies on our relatively unproven spinners.

 

[NZTailender]

Yeah well poised test. It's a concern that so much relies on our relatively unproven spinners.

I feel like they're far more exploitable when they don't deliver a good ball. Pakistan will feast on their mistakes whereas we let most of the 'bad' balls go yesterday. We basically need one of them to get in the zone and the other be tight af (doubt both will get in the zone at once but we can dream)

 

[NZTailender]

Also how good is Watling. You could criticise him for not shielding the tail more but I think if he had gone too far in the opposite direction he could've easily gotten himself out trying to accelerate or trying to make sure he kept strike. He was involved in 202 partnership runs overall - 98 without Williamson.

 

[jcas0167]

A nice piece on the Boult/Southee partnership and how they compare to other recent fast bowling duos.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee: The curious case of New Zealand's expendable titans - ESPNcricinfo

 

[Bahnz]

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.