Twitter Reactions: Yasir Shah and Pakistan dismantle New Zealand to avenge Abu Dhabi defeat

By the close of play on the third day, Pakistan had their nose ahead in their second Test against New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Black Caps, after getting bowled out for 90 in the first innings, showed resilience in the second innings and tried to defy the inevitable, but Pakistan trumped them by an innings and 16 runs to draw level in the three-match series.

Taylor and Nicholls hold fort

With 197 runs to avoid the follow-on and eight wickets in hand, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor came out to bat. The duo put forth a stand of 80 runs to reignite the Kiwis’ hopes of a comeback, but Hasan Ali got rid of Latham for 50 to pick up the day’s first wicket. Henry Nicholls joined Taylor in the middle and the duo added 52 runs on the board. Meanwhile, Taylor notched an impressive half-century.

Nevertheless, the veteran fell prey to Bilal Asif’s guile and trajectory after scoring 82 runs from 128 balls. Wicketkeeper BJ Watling turned up with a determined approach and put his head down to lend support to Nicholls. Eventually, leg-spinner Yasir Shah nipped out Watling for 27 and all of a sudden New Zealand had half their side back in the hut with plenty of work to be done ahead in the innings.

Yasir stars yet again  

After Watling’s dismissal, the Kiwis lost their last five wickets for 57 runs. Colin de Grandhomme smacked a couple of fours and was afterwards cleaned up by Hasan. Ish Sodhi couldn’t provide much resistance and he became Yasir’s third victim. The tweaker delivered the body blow when he dismissed Nicholls, the last of the recognised batsmen, for 77 runs from 187 deliveries.

Neil Wagner remained in the middle and played out 34 balls. Nevertheless, Yasir Shah worked him out and picked up a five-wicket haul. He experienced campaigner got his sixth wicket in the form of number 11, Neil Wagner and the dismissal brought the curtains down the match. The series now moves to the third and deciding Test match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

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