Twitter Reactions: Pakistan tighten their grip on resilient New Zealand

After getting bowled out for 153, New Zealand showed guts with the ball in the opening Test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Black Caps bowled Pakistan out for 227 in their first innings, but couldn’t stop the home team from garnering a lead of 74 runs. By the close of play on the third day, Pakistan would be the happier side as they now need 139 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Nicholls and Watling strain hard

Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson steadied the ship with a half-century stand after Tom Latham’s dismissal of the very first delivery. The duo started in an impressive manner and added 30 more runs. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah cleaned up Williamson, who scored a 91-ball 37, to break the ominous-looking stand. Ross Taylor spanked three fours and became right-arm fast bowler Hasan Ali’s second victim.

The speedster got rid of Raval for 46 in the 39th over. With a lead of 34 and six wickets in hand, the Kiwis needed someone to put his hand up. It was Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling, who brought the visitors back into the match with a stand of 112 runs. Both batters scored half-centuries and helped New Zealand build on their lead. Yasir Shah got rid of Nicholls to break the partnership.

Pakistan- The firm favourites

Colin de Grandhomme was the next man to be dismissed by Shah. To the Black Caps’ agony, Watling became the tweaker’s fourth victim a couple of overs later. The leggie castled Neil Wagner to pick up a stupendous five-wicket haul. Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult couldn’t make any contribution and both were dismissed by Hasan, who also finished with a fifer, much to the pacer’s delight.

New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 249 runs in 100.4 overs. A target of 176 isn’t expected to pose much of a threat to the strong Pakistani batting. Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez opened the batting and they played the eight overs out without any hiccup for 35 runs. Imam has been the aggressor thus far, having scored 25 runs from 23 balls with four gorgeous boundaries.

Here is how Twitter reacted

For the first time since making his Test debut, Mohammad Abbas goes wicketless in an entire innings. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/jkBVXfhqVq

— Cricingif (@_cricingif) November 18, 2018

Yasir Shah in the 1st Test against New Zealand 🙌

Overs 5️⃣3️⃣⚬3️⃣
Runs 1️⃣6️⃣4️⃣
Wickets 8️⃣

His 14th 5WH in 31 Test matches only 👏 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/X4qHz2kayX

— Cricingif (@_cricingif) November 18, 2018

Hasan Ali in the 1st Test against New Zealand 🙌

Overs 3️⃣3️⃣⚬4️⃣
Runs 8️⃣3️⃣
Wickets 7️⃣

TAKE. A. BOW. 👏 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/e4SqANMOl7

— Cricingif (@_cricingif) November 18, 2018

First time in 14 years that two Pakistan bowlers have taken a 5-for in an innings – Hasan Ali and Yasir Shah today. Last time it was Shoaib Akhtar and Danish Kaneria at MCG in 2004. #PakvNZ

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 18, 2018

7 wickets in this Test match for @RealHa55an
2 in first inning
5fer in 2nd inning
Feel bad for those who were against him 😂😂
He is match winner for a reason. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/yV42QgyEzm

— Shazziya Mehmood (@shaziyaaM) November 18, 2018

Congratulations to @RealHa55an – making a statement return & answering his critics in style,176 runs chasing in the fourth innings never easy,need to see off the new ball #PakvNZ

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) November 18, 2018

During this Test match Yasir Shah has gone ahead of Sarfraz Nawaz, Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Ajmal in the list of Pakistani bowlers with most Test wickets. He is now 8th on the all-time list #cricket #PAKvNZ

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 18, 2018

It’s been a really positive start by Pakistan,liking the intent by @ImamUlHaq12 #PAKvNZ

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) November 18, 2018

Some great performances by Pakistanis in cricket today.

Maiden 5-wicket haul in Tests for Hasan Ali. 14th five-for in Tests by Yasir Shah. 4 wickets on the opening day for spinner Irfan Jailer vs England A and a stunning 80 off 33 balls by Asif Ali on Mzansi Super League debut.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 18, 2018

Hasan Ali's 5-45 is his best return in Tests beating his 4-51 v England at Lord's on 24 May this year#PakvNZ

— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) November 18, 2018

Hasan Ali terrific bowler. Passionate performer for Pakistan. Great to watch, 5-45
NZ lose last 5-29, Pakistan need 176 to win First Test in Abu Dhabi on @FOXCricketLive ch 507

— LawrieColliver (@LawrieColliver) November 18, 2018

1st innings @BLACKCAPS last 6 wickets. 30 runs

2nd innings last 6 wickets 29 runs.
well bolwed #HasanAli and #YasirShah.👏

— Tanuj Singh (@TanujSi47701251) November 18, 2018

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