Daily Times

Pakistan recorded yet another bizzare batting collapse during the second of the two-Test series concluded Tuesday in Hamilton. After losing just one wicket in the first two sessions of the fifth day, the AzharAli-led side surrendered their last nine wickets in the evening session giving Kane Williamson his second Test win as the Kiwi skipper.

Requiring 369 to win, Azhar and Sami Aslam snail-paced Pakistan to 131 at mere 2.18 runs per over before the former dragged Mitchell Santner on to his off-stump. The scoring rate raised eyebrows as the visitors needed to record a victory to continue their 30-year-long unbeaten legacy in New Zealand.

“Where we were really good in those first two sessions is keeping the run rate down below two. It kept pushing the required rate up a bit higher, and made them go hard a bit earlier. That presented us with a few opportunities,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Williamson.

Coming into the series on the back of a 3-0 whitewash in India, the Black Caps were in a dire need to kick off their home season with a series win to boost their morale.

“It was going to be a big challenge coming home from India and a tough series against South Africa. The guys picked themselves up,” Williamson said. “I suppose we went back to the drawing board with how we’d like to play our cricket at home. Sometimes the baggage from previous results can be tough to get past, but the guys were fantastic.”

The Hamilton wicket that sent chills down the batsmen’s spine due to the abundance of grass had become much gentle. Experts gave Pakistan a green signal for the chase and not losing the wicket for the first four hours on Tuesday brigthened the visitors’ prospect of drawing the series. The Kiwis, however, searched for an opening.

“That surface was pretty good for batting,” said Williamson, adding, “That certainly showed when first new ball didn’t do a huge amount. They batted very well and we weren’t able pick up those early wickets. Only thing we could do was stick with it and try and control the game. To get that breakthrough – which took a long time – we did have to stay patient.”

Pakistan now moves to Australia to play three Tests against Steven Smith’s men. The quick and bouncy nature of the wickets there is bound to test Pakistan’s batsmen.