Dubai: It was a gripping chase against time, wickets and a tough target in the second Test at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday. Set to chase a challenging 261 by New Zealand to win the match and seal the three-match series 2-0, Pakistan ended the day at 196 for five when both sides agreed to a draw under falling light with five overs still remaining.
The unstoppable Younis Khan produced another gem of an innings to steer Pakistan towards the target. His 44 off 84 balls with three sixes and two fours and a 74-run partnership with Asad Shafiq in 23.4 overs lit up hopes of a victory. The anticipation of an exciting chase had spectators trickling in with every over. An hour after lunch, close to 8,000 spectators, mainly Pakistan supporters thronged the stands to cheer their team. They could have returned home happy had Pakistan not lost three wickets for five runs after lunch — which resulted in them losing their momentum in the chase.
The day had its share of drama. In the fourth over of the day, Pakistan who were eager to get quick wickets, saw Taufeeq Umar drop Mark Craig on seven at first slip off Rahat Ali. It resulted in a 60-run partnership between Craig and Taylor, who kept stroking freely.
Taylor raced to his first century against Pakistan, his 12th century in all and came at a time when it was needed the most.
So brilliant was his knock that not only his whole team gave him a standing applause but also the Pakistan players.
After Taylor reached his century, Craig began to open out. He stepped out and lifted Zulfiqar Babar into the stands for a six. Yasir Shah ended Craig’s knock by forcing him to loft into the hands of Rahat Ali at long on for 34.
Two balls later, Taylor too fell to a tossed up delivery from Shah which whizzed past his outside edge and to be stumped in a flash by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmad. Taylor’s knock of 104 came off 133 balls and contained 12 boundaries. Tim Southee swelled the lead, hitting Babar for three consecutive sixes. He attempted a fourth six but got caught at deep cover for 20 and New Zealand declared their innings at 250 for nine. Yasir Shah returned with figures of five for 79, backed by Zulfiqar Babar with his second successive four wicket haul for 96, following his 4 for 137 in the first innings.
Pakistan began positively with opener Taufeeq Umar cracking Southee past backward point for a boundary. In the last ball of that over, Southee made Taufeeq hang his bat out at an angled delivery to be caught behind. Azhar Ali stroked well to score 24 runs but hit a low full toss into the hands of Neesham at cover.
Opener Shan Mashood batted solidly to score 40 runs off 95 balls with two sixes and a boundary but fell to deadly yorker from Trent Boult. Even a review could not save him.
Boult also removed skipper Misbah-ul Haq for a duck by having him caught behind with reverse swing. After Younis Khan too fell to a delivery which bounced and flew off the bat’s shoulder to Taylor at slip off Craig. Sarfraz Ahmad (24n.o.) and Shafiq (41n.o) tried their best but the target was too far to reach in five overs.
