Azhar Ali was the last wicket to fall for Pakistan against New Zealand. (Source: AP)
One adjective associated with the Pakistan cricket team is that of being ‘unpredictable’. It is not always the case that it is used in a positive light as they’ve been equally culpable for horrible collapses to lose matches where they were more likely to win. Last year, they failed to chase down 136 runs at their adopted home in the UAE against Sri Lanka to be bowled out for 114 runs.
On Monday (November 19), Pakistan suffered yet another embarrassing collapse to go down to New Zealand in the opening Test. Chasing 176 to win, Pakistan looked strong contenders for the win and despite losing three early wickets, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq had restored balance. Their 82-run stand took Pakistan to 130/3 before Shafiq perished for 45. The equation at this stage saw Pakistan needing 46 runs with six wickets in hand – a modest ask by any standards.
Azhar Ali (65) stayed up until the end to try and steer the side home as Pakistan suffered a miserable lower order collapse with three players going back after another with ducks to their name. With the DRS call going in New Zealand’s favour, Azhar became the last to be dismissed and the Kiwis won by four runs for a tense finish atย he Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Large portion of the credit would go to the Man of the Matchย Ajaz Patel who claimed a fifer in the second innings on his debut. Here’s how the cricketing world reacted to the dramatic finish:
Holy scccchmoly!!!! ๐ What a test match!! #testcricketalivenkicking ๐ฌ๐๐ป๐ congrats to @BLACKCAPS & @TheRealPCB Fabulous entertainment ๐๐๐ดWell done Mr Patel… on debut…. you little rippa!!! ๐๐ #golden
โ Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) 19 November 2018
From 147/4 to lose chasing 176 required a special effort not just from NZ but from Pakistan. Only Pak can provide such thrillers out of easy victories. Well done to NZ and bad luck Pak #PakvNZ
โ Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 19 November 2018
What a fantastic test match to be calling @jecfranklin @SteelyDan66 Both @BLACKCAPS & @TheRealPCB played in great spirit. Congrats to NZ and what a series we have in store. #PakvNZ #testcricket #aliveandwell #victory
โ Simon Doull (@Sdoull) 19 November 2018
It is not for nothing that Pakistan have the reputation of being unpredictable and fragile in chases. Well on course to winning, then run-outs and slogs…..130-3, then147-4 needing 176 and lose by 4.
โ Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 19 November 2018
A test match to remember for a long time. An outstanding effort from New Zealand to win this after being out of the game for so long. Their never-say- die attitude is so wonderful and Test Cricket is well and truly alive #PakvNZ
โ VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 19 November 2018
Donโt you just love Pakistan Cricket .. so so unpredictable .. 130 for 3 needing a further 45 to win the Test & lose by 4 .. Test cricket is alive & kicking .. We have witnessed some great games over the last few months .. Pitches are the key ..
โ Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 19 November 2018
Great game of cricket. Test match cricket is a fascinating format. Congratulations New Zealand on a remarkable win! Well fought Pakistan, IA the team will bounce back from here.
Well done hassan ali and Yasir Shah, great bowling!โ Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) 19 November 2018
Looking at this thrilling finish, ‘Oye Hoye’ is a fitting name for the series. #PAKvNZ
โ Moulin (@Moulinparikh) 19 November 2018
Narrowest wins by runs in Test cricket
1 run West Indies v Australia Adelaide 1993
2 runs England v Australia Edgbaston 2005
3 runs Australia v England, Old Trafford 1902
3 runs England v Australia Melbourne 1982
4 runs New Zealand v Pakistan Abu Dhabi 2018โ Simon Wilde (@swildecricket) 19 November 2018
What a result! Great to have the late night support at home in New Zealand as well hanging in there with the team. Scorecard | https://t.co/vvhGBsYknh #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/a26tUs1Qlz
โ BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) 19 November 2018
Caught the last 30 mins. So tense! Test cricket at its best!
โ Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) 19 November 2018
The second Test will be played in Dubai from November 24-28 before the teams return to Abu Dhabi for the final Test from Dec. 3-7.