New Zealand showed amazing grit to steal a four-run win in an enthralling first Test against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi.
Kane Williamson and his men looked to be out of the game as Pakistan resumed from their overnight score of 37-0 on day in their chase of a target of 176 runs.
However, the Kiwis were given an early lifeline on Monday by their spinners Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi. Patel pinned Imam-ul-Haq (27) to his crease to give the tourists a much-needed breakthrough before Sodhi accounted for Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail in the next over.
From 48-3, Pakistan’s chase was brought back on track by Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq who shared an 82-run stand for the fourth wicket. With victory seeming like a foregone conclusion for Pakistan, Neil Wagner breathed life back into the game by finding Shafiq’s (45) outside edge.
That wicket saw the floodgates open for New Zealand with the Babar Azam being run-out next after a lapse in communication with Azhar. Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed then became Patel’s second victim of the day before the New Zealand left-arm spinner also accounted for Bilal Asif.
Patel (c) picked up a maiden five-for in Test cricket.
Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali then both fell for ducks with Azhar left stranded with just last-man Mohammad Abbas for company.
The Pakistan veteran batsman notched up his half-century and found able support from Abbas as the target drew closer. Debutant Patel then claimed his maiden five-for after Azhar was adjudged to be lbw. The Pakistan batsman reviewed in desperation but it proved to be a futile one as the Kiwis celebrated a sensational victory in Abu Dhabi.
BRIEF SCORES
New Zealand: 153 and 249
Pakistan: 227 and 171
Pakistan second innings
Azhar Ali: 65 (136)
Ajaz Patel: 5-59 (23.4 overs)
Neil Wagner: 2-27 (13 overs)
