Twitter Reactions: Advantage Pakistan after Shafiq-Azhar tons

After bowling New Zealand out for 274, Pakistan, at one point in time, got themselves in a position of command in the final Test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi courtesy of centuries from Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. However, the Black Caps made a strong comeback and bowled the hosts out for 348. At the close of play, the Kiwis are trailing by 48 with eight wickets left in the second innings.

Azhar and Shafiq frustrate New Zealand

Shafiq and Azhar commenced proceedings with the score at 139/3 and carried on in their own merry way. The duo played out the entire pre-lunch session. They compiled a mammoth stand of 201 runs and also threatened to play the whole of the post-lunch session as well. They also took Pakistan to a lead of 12 runs. Azhar eventually racked up 134 runs from 297 balls with 12 boundaries.

On the other hand, Shafiq scored 104 runs from 259 balls with 14 fours. Off-spinner William Somerville nipped out Azhar to break the partnership. A few overs later, Ajaz Patel accounted for the wicket of Shafiq. From a position of strength, all of a sudden, the hosts had two new men at the crease, Babar Azam and skipper Sarfraz, who had the responsibility of arresting the mini-slump.

Pakistan keep capitulating         

Babar, after scoring 14 with a couple of fours, became Somerville’s second victim. Bilal Asif couldn’t make an impact and fell prey to Patel’s guile and trajectory. Yasir Shah tried to stave off the bowling but succumbed to a shambolic run-out. In the same over, Hasan Ali also made his way back to the hut. Somerville picked up Sarfraz in the 135th over to put an end to Pakistan’s innings.

Trailing by 74 runs, New Zealand came out to bat at the fag end of the day. Nevertheless, they didn’t have a memorable time in the middle, having lost two wickets for 26 runs. Left-arm teen sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi trapped Jeet Raval plumb in front for a 15-ball duck and drew first blood. In the 12th over, leg-spinner Yasir Shah got rid of Tom Latham. Somerville came in as the nightwatchman.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Literally the same situation as Abu Dhabi test now,losing last seven for 62 runs,mammoth effort required by the bowlers – 4th inns chase always a tricky one. #PakvNZ

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) December 5, 2018

Waiting for some journalists to comment on Sarfraz's ability to play with the tail like they did with Azhar Ali in the first test. Unlike Azhar, Sarfraz had no added pressure of chasing. #PAKvNZ

— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) December 5, 2018

Great to see the backbone of the Pakistan line us @asadshafiq1986 and @AzharAli_ stand up when required! Two centurions of the day! #PakvNZ

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) December 5, 2018

Same Mistake Same Mistake !!

— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) December 5, 2018

Same #lead74 same venue same teams. Ya ALLAH plz match ka #result same na ho 🤲🏼#PAKvNZ @TheRealPCB @BLACKCAPS

— ALI WAQAS (@iamAliWaqas) December 5, 2018

Anything more than 150… I don’t fancy Pak chasing #PakvNZ

— CRICZONE 🏏 (@criczonee) December 5, 2018

#PAKvNZ
This Shaheen Shah Afridi is going to be a handful on fast SA tracks if selected.

— mirza kamran beg (@MkbbcsBeg) December 5, 2018

Shaheen Shah Afridi has the near perfect physique for a fast bowler. He just needs to work in his skill and control. He also has a good control on the seam of the ball which is also vital. #PAKvNZ #cricket

— Naeem Rehman (@nrehman) December 5, 2018

Many times on my show I’ve said that the Pak tail needs to wag!Another 25 runs from the tail would have done the trick ! Safi as the captain needs to address this issue ! Is it confidence or skill what’s the reason for it being the Worst tail in world? @SarfarazA_54 #PAKvNZ

— Leena Aziz (@leenacricket) December 5, 2018

Turn to Yasir Shah. Get few more of them! #PAKvNZ

— Ibn Haneefah (@__IshfaqAhmad) December 5, 2018

What an unfortunate way to end the series for Jeet Raval. , Two 'umpire's call' in his dismissal. #PAKvNZ

— Dude from Phogatpur (@subedi_parjal) December 5, 2018

#PakvNZ New Zealand have to score only 250 runs and they will have their series

— Minhaj Ghauri (@minhaj_ghauri) December 5, 2018

If umpire is inconclusive that whether ball hit the pad first or bat than how can he go further with ball tracking

It means he considered ball hit the pad first why?

Raval like first inning again unlucky here #PAKvNZ

— Sunil Singh (@Sunil_1984_) December 5, 2018

Jeet Raval's 1st duck in his 24th Test innings#PakvNZ
🦆

— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) December 5, 2018

Shaheen Shah Afridi 🇵🇰 Beauty #PAKvNZ

— NOMAN ALI🇵🇰 (@Nomanali72) December 5, 2018

How pathatic batting by rest of the Pakistani batsmans after the superb contribution of #AzharAli and #AsadShafique

— Basit Baig (@BasitGee01) December 5, 2018

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