NZ v PAK 2020-21: New Zealand inch closer to win in first Test as Southee bags 300th wicket 

Pakistan ended play at 71/3 chasing the massive target of 373 set by New Zealand.

The Black Caps took a giant stride towards an unassailable series lead | GettyHaving dismissed the visitors for 239 and taking a huge first-innings lead of 192 runs in the Boxing Day Test, New Zealand stretched their advantage further on Day 4 to set-up a target of 373 before building further inroads into the struggling Pakistan batting line-up. 

With opening batsmen Tom Latham (53) and Tom Blundell (64) both overcoming their failures on Day 1 and scoring crucial half-centuries, the Black Caps were able to declare their second innings at 180/5, giving themselves enough time to register a win and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. 

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In the 40-odd overs that were bowled, pacer Naseem Shah picked up three wickets and returned with nice fine figures of 3/55, having got only one scalp in the first half of the Test match. 

As in the first innings, Pakistan lost both their openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali quickly. This time without troubling the scorers. The renowned new-ball pairing of Tim Southee and Trent Boult (1/24) was right into its act. 

Soon, Southee (2/15) also dismissed Haris Sohail (9) to bag his 300th Test wicket for New Zealand, becoming only the third Kiwi bowler in the game's history to reach there after second-placed Daniel Vettori (361) and  Sir Richard Hadlee (431). 

After that moment, former Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali (34*) and Fawad Alam (21*) batted sedately for more than 20 overs to see their side through to stumps without any further damage. 

The visitors, who were bundled out for 239 in response to the massive Kiwi total of 431, now have a big task on their hand if they are come out unscathed from Mount Maunganui. 

Brief Scores: 

Pakistan 71/3 in 38 overs (Azhar Ali 34*, Fawad Alam 21*; Tim Southee 2/15, Trent Boult 1/24) & 239/10 in 102.2 overs need a further 302 runs to beat New Zealand 431/10 in 155 overs & 180/5 decl in 45.3 overs (Tom Blundell 64, Tom Latham 53; Naseem Shah 3/55, Mohammad Abbas 1/33) 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 29 Dec, 2020

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