Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur faced the media after Pakistan’s big win the 2nd Test.
“During the 1st Test, we agreed we didn’t want the Oye Hoye trophy,” said Mickey Arthur. “Then Yasir Shah convinced us that we should go for it. He’ll keep it at his house.”
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| It was honest stuff from the Pakistan coach |
In all seriousness, it was a magnificent fightback from Pakistan after the capitulation in Abu Dhabi last week. Led by a patient batting display and the magnificent Yasir Shah, Pakistan have taken this series to a decider which, on Dubai’s evidence, they start as favourites.
In this article, I will go player-by-player and rate out of ten. If this is your first time reading my player ratings, it is a light-hearted review of the match!
Pakistan:
Imam-ul-Haq: Imam’s quiet series continues. The second wicket early on the first day that prompted an ultra-watchful approach by Pakistan. Good catch under the lid to remove Tom Latham in the first innings. 2
Mohammad Hafeez: Magnificent return to the side against Australia, but not much joy since. Did he really have to play that well against us? 3
Azhar Ali: Azhar and run outs… A better love story than Twilight. Not his fault this time, though, as there was a single on offer for sure. Haris sold him down the river. Looked good for a first century in 18 Test innings. Played very well in grinding New Zealand down. 8
Haris Sohail: An innings completely out of context in the modern game. At one point, I was asking who was slower – Sohail or KL Rahul in the T20Is v Australia? In the end, his approach worked a charm, with two days in the field for New Zealand taking its toll. Batting 421 balls is an incredible achievement, even if there were runs on offer that could have been pounced upon. As you can tell, I’m a purist. 9
Babar Azam: Ladies and gentlemen, this man knows his limits. He thinks before he does everything. Knew he had to be patient in the nervous 90s, and picked up his first Test century. A good moment for him. Not so much Zainab Abbas. 9
Sarfraz Ahmed: I’m heading to Abu Dhabi to break the stump mic when Pakistan go out to field. The loudest man in cricket, Sarfraz Ahmed, had plenty to shout about with Yasir Shah simply brilliant, plus a few mishaps in the field he simply needed to get off his chest. Plus the laughs when a wicket was taken. Had to lower the TV volume. 7
Bilal Asif: Isn’t quite finding the bite he did against Australia, but picked up the vital wicket of Ross Taylor. To the relief of Pakistan fans everywhere, he wasn’t required to bat. 6
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| And this is why… |
Yasir Shah: 14 wickets. Absolutely outstanding. The deliveries to get Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls in the first innings and Kane Williamson in the second would have had Shane Warne tweeting great things (which he did). The saying “as excited as a kid in a candy store” should be changed to “as excited as Ramiz Raja when Yasir takes a wicket.” Also, imagine the English media if it were Adil Rashid? 10
Mohammad Abbas: Wicketless in the Test. Incredible. Wicketless in his last three innings. Even more incredible. But, he is building the pressure on New Zealand’s batsmen, as his economy rate of 1.95 for the Test suggests. A vital cog in Pakistan’s line up. 5
New Zealand:
Jeet Raval: First wicket to fall on day three, the first of 10 in the space of 13.5 overs. Disappointing lack of awareness in the second innings to get stumped without realising where his back foot was. 4
Tom Latham: Two starts. New Zealand desperately need him to carry on and go big. 6
Kane Williamson: Kane Williamson batted right through the first innings!…. But scored 28, such was the calamity of New Zealand’s batting effort. Some absolutely gorgeous strokeplay in both innings, before being undone by a cracking Yasir Shah delivery. Reportedly smacked Colin de Grandhomme over the head after his second innings shot. 7
Ross Taylor: Done by a beauty in the first innings, and played fluently in the second. Will he dominate in the decider? 7
Henry Nicholls: Could have driven an 18-wheeler through Henry Nicholl’s gap between bat and pad in the first innings, despite it being a magnificent delivery by Yasir. Showed his fighting qualities in the second innings. Key player. 7
BJ Watling: His wicket truly spelt the end for New Zealand on day four. 4
Colin de Grandhomme: Colin de Grandhomme’s performance was like going to a party, enjoying the first 15 minutes, and hating the rest of it. Reportedly had been watching a few highlights of Bilal Asif’s batting. Disappointing strokeplay after an honest bowling effort. 5
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| Ugly |
Ish Sodhi: Just 22 overs out of 167 in the first innings for Sodhi, which isn’t a confidence booster. Neither is exposing your stumps to Yasir Shah. 2
Ajaz Patel: The grind of Test cricket realised very quickly by Ajaz. On a high in Abu Dhabi, followed by 1/120 in Dubai. 5
Trent Boult: Shocked the cricketing world when New Zealand had their first wicket of day two, in the third session. Trying effort, but couldn’t repeat his first innings Abu Dhabi heroics. 5
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So, a magnificent fightback by Pakistan.
An innings victory within four days did not look on the cards when the rain was falling on the third morning. It looked even less on the cards when New Zealand were 50/0 in their first dig.
All to play for in the decider!
Thanks for reading!
