Updated on
Summary
Skilful, rousing bowling from Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif evoked New Zealand's famous second-innings collapses against Pakistan, and almost neutralised the disadvantage of a 97-run first-innings deficit. Pakistan held all the momentum after a dramatic fourth day, which featured swing, reverse-swing, cutters, two wickets for no run, the last six for 53, drama over reviews, rain, and bad light. Pakistan hit back in fine style to leave the hosts 147-8 at stumps on day four. Indeed, New Zealand found themselves 0-2 as both Guptill and Flynn departed for ducks, the former bowled and the latter trapped leg before.Ross Taylor and Tim McIntosh put on 87 for the third wicket to steady the ship before the fluent Taylor (59) was needlessly run out having compiled his second half-century of the match. But that dismissal sparked a clatter of wickets as Peter Fulton, McIntosh and Brendon McCullum went in quick succession in the middle session to leave the hosts struggling at 115-6 when rain forced an early tea. Skipper Daniel Vettori was unable to repeat his heroics of the first innings, going for eight shortly after play resumed to become Asif's third victim. After another spell off for bad light Bond (seven) became Asif's fourth scalp when he played onto his stumps, but Grant Elliott (20 not out) and Iain O'Brien (four no) were standing firm when bad light forced the players off the field again for the final time at 7pm local time.
