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Arthur Crabtree wrote:

meninblue wrote:Can't see even 50 people in stadium. Probably the support staff are more in numbers than the odd spectators.

I see myself in retirement going to see NZ play Tests. Maybe not in UAE though.

And hope the rain stays away in NZ.

Wicket for Ajaz just when new ball was due. Asad out for 12 caught at point trying to whack it over mid wicket rope. Bad batting.

PAK 174/4.

Kiwis take new ball in 84th over. Asads wicket helped them delay it by few overs. Will get to ball few overs left today as well as start with fairly new ball tomorrow morning.

PAK 207/4 at stumps , Day 1.

Given the massive collapse in last test loss, PAK were expected to be slightly more cautious than usual. The early spells from Kiwis did not help the run rate either with two wickets. All these factors have played out in PAK scoring just 207 from the day. The ball being 6 odd overs old will help Kiwis when they come back tomorrow morning much fresher. Kiwis will need to wind this early because there are enough rough marks which will only get wider till they bat in second innings.

Slow going, economical bowling from CDH, but Haris played a seriously slow knock!

Haris Sohail to take strike as Ajaz starts the day for Kiwis. Pakistan will be looking to increase the run rate a bit.

Mixed tour for new NZ coach Gary Stead. Lost T20i series, drew ODI series and won the first test at home of PAK. Given that Mike Hesson resigned abruptly before his tenure ended, Kiwis have not seen negative after effects of the change in this series. Replaced Darren Lehmann as ICC Cricket committee and also got a 2 year contract as Kings 11 Punjab head coach replacing Brad Hodge. Think I also saw him in dug out of one Manzsi Super league team or T10 league team.

Whereas Mickey Arthur must be having his toughest assignment ever coaching the PAK team, the last test being one of the worst, of not the most frustrating of his coaching career.

71 runs partnership between Haris and Babar. Haris in 90's.

Still on 91 from 284 balls. Nothing wrong, with the recent events and the state of Pakistan batting and the make up of their batting line up.

100 for Haris from 309 balls.Well played.

Sohail out for 147.

Babar gets his century!

Haris 147.

Babar scores a ton too.

PAK 370/5.

Regulation catch dropped by Tom in second slip. He has already dropped 2 in this PAK innings. Sarfraz gets life on 6. Bad luck to Boult.

Looks like NZ need to bat out for a draw.

4 for Sarfraz. Flighted by Ajaz and steps down to smash one straight down the ground. Good shot.