Twitter Reactions: Predictably unpredictable Pakistan all set to take the Boxing Day Test down to the wire

New Zealand will look to wrap things up on the fifth day and draw the first blood in the series.

By R Sai Siddhharth

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Azhar Ali
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Azhar Ali. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The Pakistan side was left starring down the barrel as their top order once again failed to ‘show up’ in the second innings as well, to leave the visitors reeling at 71/3 at the end of Day 4 of the first Test at the Bay Oval. All it took for the New Zealand bowlers to remove both the Pakistani openers was just 2.2 overs.

Abid Ali was the first batsman to depart. The right-hander nicked a rising delivery from Trent Boult into the hands of BJ Watling as New Zealand drew first blood. Shan Masood followed his opening partner soon after and edged Tim Southee straight to Ross Taylor at slip. Both the openers fell without troubling the scorers, as New Zealand stamped their authority all over the visitors.

Haris Sohail tried to block his way out of trouble, but his resistance ended when he chipped Tim Southee straight into the hands of Mitchell Santner at the cover. And with that dismissal, Southee picked up his 300th scalp in Test cricket and became only the third Kiwi bowler to do so, after Sir Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori.

The only batsman from the Pakistan side who offered some resistance was veteran Azhar Ali. The 35-year-old scored a defiant 34*, and occupied the crease for 117 deliveries. Giving him company in the middle was Fawad Alam, who consumed 55 balls to remain unbeaten on 21.

New Zealand batsmen perish in a bid to up the ante

When New Zealand started their second innings on the morning of Day 4, their main motive was to put runs on the board as quickly as possible so that they would have sufficient time to have a go at the visitors. And, the openers provided a solid start for the Kiwis.

Both the Toms- Latham, and Blundell were positive in their approach and cashed in on every scoring opportunity. Both the openers scored half-centuries and were involved in a solid opening partnership of 111 runs for the wicket. However, in a bid to up the ante, the Kiwi batsmen lost some quick wickets.

Blundell was the first to depart. The right-hander charged down the wicket and attempted a big heave through the leg side. However, he could not make any connection, and the ball crashed onto the stumps. Mohammad Abbas was the man who provided the first breakthrough for the visitors. Latham was the next batsman to be dismissed. To a short delivery from youngster Naseem Shah, the left-hander went for the pull and holed out to Abid Ali at deep square leg.

Williamson’s breezy 21 came to an end when he top-edged a short delivery from Naseem Shah into the hands of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Henry Nicholls scored two boundaries in his brief 5 ball stay, but he was undone by another short delivery from youngster Naseem. His pull landed straight into the waiting hands of Mohammad Abbas at deep fine leg.

The final wicket to fall for the Black Caps was BJ Watling. In a bid to steal a second run, Watling was caught short of his ground. The hosts declared their first innings with the scorecard reading 180/5. New Zealand will look to wrap things up on the fifth day and draw the first blood in the series.

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