Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

it is a useful stand

NZ starting to run out of time? 3 wickets to get, a lead to chase, light is always an issue. Nominally around 35 overs in the day, but it's hard to tell, with the light and with all this spin being bowled.... I confess to not having a clue how much time will be available for a run chase.... if indeed there is a run chase

Well, it's tea. Presumably NZ would knock off a small target quickly. But unknowable how much time will be available. I'll guess they need three wickets in 30m.

GMT +5 in Karachi, seemingly, so about 4.20pm

even if the light behaves itself I cant see Pakistan losing this; their lead is 106 and NZ still have to take 2 wickets. 2 overs and 15 mins for the turnaround. Even if NZ took these last 2 wickets in the next few overs, they might have to bludgeon the thick end of 10 an over to snatch victory in fading light

Wagner only bowled 3 overs in the second innings. Is he injured?

He bowled these later on in the innings, so I think they just wanted to bowl spin. Yes, this is a draw.

Pakistan 311-8 declared

Imam 96
Sarfraz 53
Shakeel 55*

Sodhi 6-86

Target 138 from 15 overs.

now that I didn't see coming

11-1 already with 13 overs left

Bracewell opened for some reason. Whatever the intention, he didn't last long

54-1 in no time

Pakistan look as though they might have stuffed this up

a real head scratcher

Never any real likelihood of NZ being able to chase down that 138 target - though they probably would have been close if they'd had the official 15 overs ! But everyone knew those overs were never going to be finished given the light issues.

No matter : at least the declaration gave the spectators a bit of entertainment at the death rather than watching the game peter out in a blockathon. Imagine Babar was hoping for a few wickets to boost confidence for game two - which didn't quite work out. Marks for trying though

Wasn't quite a "Bazball" event ; but still more interesting than a lot of the flat pitch bore draws we have seen in Pakistan over the years. Hopefully the second match may have just a bit more help for the bowlers and we can see a result.

Second Test starting today apparently.

Conway gets his century.

Another flat one.

it may well be, but Pakistan have managed to get a foothold in the game after the dismissal of the second NZ opener sparked a spell of 5-45

currently 300-6

New Zealand 449 all out

Conway 122
Latham 71
Blundell 51
Henry 68*

Abrar 4-149
Naseem 3-71

Gave away almost 100 runs for the 10th wicket. Exactly the sort of thing Durham would do

Pakistan must be feeling hugely deflated

Yes, that must have hurt. Wouldn't have happened when Chris Martin was around.

Handy to get Babar on a run out.