Pakistan salvaged a draw in the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai on Friday after being set a challenging target of 261 off 72 overs on the back of a brilliant hundred by Ross Taylor.
Pakistan’s loss of four early wickets meant all results were still possible at tea but in the end they fell 65 runs short when bad light ended play five overs early.
Asad Shafiq scored 41 not out and Sarfraz Ahmed an unbeaten 24 as Pakistan finished on 196 for five, with the draw preserving their 1-0 lead in the three-match series following last week’s 248-run win Abu Dhabi.
It was an entertaining final day in front of an 8,000-strong holiday crowd who anticipated a Pakistan win after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had sportingly declared his second innings at 250-9.
That was made possible after Ross Taylor notched a brilliant 104 — his 12th Test century.
“Credit to New Zealand,” said Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. “They showed a lot of improvement after the first game.
“I’m a little bit disappointed because had we taken our chances we could have had a better result.
“We had planned the chase, to bat normally in the first 40 overs and then step up, but we lost three quick wickets and then Younis (Khan) got out so it became tough.”
McCullum praised New Zealand’s resolve, saying: “Obviously it was a very very good Test match. It was a great effort and I think the toss was really important and we managed to put on a good total (403 in the first innings) and that really lifted us. I am proud of the boys.”
– Precarious position –
Younis (44) and Shafiq lifted Pakistan from a precarious 75-4 after Trent Boult had dismissed Shan Masood (40) and skipper Misbah-ul Haq (nought) in quick succession.
Pakistan, needing 130 in the last 20 overs, picked up the tempo with Shafiq hitting two boundaries off Mark Craig but the off-spinner derailed the chase when he dismissed Younis with a turning delivery that rose on the batsman and the ensuing edge was well taken in the slips.
Younis hit three sixes and two boundaries in his 84-ball knock.
Boult finished with 2-12 while Craig had 2-66.
Pakistan had lost opener Taufeeq Umar for four in the second over to Tim Southee before Masood and Azhar Ali (24) put on a solid 62 for the second wicket.
Ali then hit a Craig full toss straight into the hands of covers before Boult trapped Masood leg-before and had Misbah caught behind off a beautiful delivery.
Masood looked impressive during his 95-ball knock, hitting two sixes and a boundary.
Earlier, Taylor anchored the New Zealand innings.
Taylor, who had just scored 31 runs in the three previous innings of the series, batted with authority during his 200-minute stay at the crease studded with 12 boundaries.
New Zealand, resuming at 167-6, looked for quick runs which came once Taylor reached his hundred with a single off seamer Ehsan Adil. It took him 129 balls to reach the three-figure mark.
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who finished with his first five-wicket haul for figures of 5-79, removed Craig (34) and Taylor in the same over.
Craig holed out in the deep while Taylor was beaten by a sharp turning delivery and was smartly stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed.
Southee hit Zulfiqar Babar (4-96) for three towering sixes before he was caught in the covers before McCullum declared.
The third and final Test starts in Sharjah on November 26.