Former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq was disappointed with the result of the first Test match between India and New Zealand in Kanpur, saying that he was shocked to see hosts allowing the opposition to bat through the Day 5.
The first Test match between India and New Zealand at Green Park, Kanpur ended in a draw as the visitors displayed sensational batting performance to script the draw from the jaws of defeat.
Coming into Day 5, India needed 9 wickets to win the match and considering the history of the Indian pitches on the final day of the Test match, everyone expected hosts to go 1-0 up in the series.
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But the Kane Williamson-led side showed great defensive techniques and after they were reduced to 155/9 in the third session, the last wicket pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel hung on to deny India the win.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq said that it was clear at the end of Day 4 that New Zealand cannot win the match but credit should be given to him for batting through the day.
He added that he anticipated that the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel won’t let batters play because the ball would spin.
"Not sure whether we should give credit to New Zealand or call India unlucky. It was clear even yesterday that New Zealand cannot win the match because they wouldn't have been able to chase down the score (of 284). I feel New Zealand should be given credit for batting through the day on this pitch.
“I was, however, anticipating that there would be some wear and tear on the fifth day and that the likes of [Ravindra] Jadeja and [Akshar] Patel would not let the batsmen play because the ball would spin,” Inzamam-ul-Haq said.
Inzamam-ul-Haq said that the visitors should be commended because apart from skipper Kane Williamson they don’t have any star batter in the side but they put in a combined effort to script the draw.
He added that every batter must have been told in the dressing room that they need to spend time in the middle and not go after the target.
“New Zealand should be commended because apart from [Kane] Williamson, they do not have a star batter in their ranks. But they all put their hands up and put in a combined effort. It's not that one person made a big score and continued to hold one end.
“Whoever came out to bat performed their duty very ably. They would have been told in the dressing room that they need to spend a lot of time in the middle and not chase after the total," he said.
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Inzamam-ul-Haq concluded by saying that India would be disappointed with the result as they should’ve bowled New Zealand out and finished the match in the first two sessions of Day 5.
“On the other hand, this is a disappointment for India. I didn't think New Zealand would have bat through Day 5 against this Indian bowling attack.
"India should have bowled them out. Jadeja bowled well for his four wickets but I expected a lot more from all of them. I truly believe that the match should have finished within the first two sessions," he said.
Team India will now face New Zealand in the second Test match in Mumbai on 3rd December.
