PAK vs NZ: 10 New Zealand players surround Pakistan's Mir Hamza to set-up perfect wicket

Come what may, the beauty of cricket is seen in the Test format. The determination, perseverance, and attitude shown by players in the longest format of the game are unmatched by any other. One such moment took place during the fourth day of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Test match, where nine players, excluding the bowler, surrounded the Pakistani batters, forming a fielding setup similar to the umbrella fielding.

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee declared the innings early and handed hosts Pakistan a target of 319 runs to chase in the final innings. With just a few overs to be played before the end of the day’s play, New Zealand managed to get an early breakthrough when Southee dismissed Pakistani opener Abdullah Shafique in the very first over.

Pakistan sent Mir Hamza as the night watchman, for what was the final over of the day. Ish Sodhi took charge with the ball, and New Zealand deployed nine fielders around him, including the wicket-keeper. New Zealand deployed fielders at leg slip, leg gully, short leg, silly mid-on, as well as in the slips and silly-point on the batter’s off-side to surround Hamza.

New Zealand put Pakistan under pressure ahead of the fifth day.

The setup put Hamza under pressure, which led to Ish Sodhi taking advantage. Pakistan, who had lost a wicket without scoring any runs in the second innings, went on to lose another wicket as Hamza was sent packing, which put an end to the day’s play. As a result, Pakistan ended on 0/2 in 2.5 overs as New Zealand took the driver’s seat.

Speaking of the game, New Zealand declared their second innings at 277/5. Contributions from Tom Latham, Michael Bracewell, and Tom Blundell led to the visitors posting a defendable target. Pakistani bowlers could not do much, as every bowler managed to pick one wicket each before New Zealand declared.

Tim Southee’s move looked risky, but he got his side the crucial wicket of Shafique before Sodhi sent Hamza packing. New Zealand ended the day on a high note and put the hosts under trouble, as they look to chase 319 runs on the final day with eight wickets in hand.

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