Asif shines as Pakistan level series 1-1
Pakistan leveled the series 1-1 when they won the second Test against New Zealand by 141 runs in Wellington on the fourth day of the match on December 6. New Zealand had won the first Test in Dunedin 32 runs.
Needing an improbable 405 for victory, New Zealand were all out for 263 in their second innings. While Ross Taylor scored 97, skipper Daniel Vettori and Ian O’Brien made 40 and 31 respectively. Taylor was dismissed in his nineties for the second time in the series – he had been dismissed for 94 in the first Test. The in-form Mohammad Asif proved to be the wrecker-in-chief again by claiming 5 for 67. He was well supported by Danesh Kaneria (3/74) and Mohammad Aamer (2/64).
The Kiwis did well to restrict the visitors to 239 in their second innings when they seemed set for a big total. Skipper Mohammad Yousuf scored 83 and Umar Akmal (52) maintained his fine form with yet another half century. Chris Martin (4/52) and O’Brien (4/66) were the most successful bowlers with Grant Elliott chipping in with 2 for 8.
Asif (4/40) and Kaneria (3/6) had run through the New Zealand batting line-up to dismiss them for 99 in the first innings giving Pakistan a lead of 165 runs. Taylor was the top scorer with 30. Umar Gul took 2 for 21.
Pakistan had earlier made 264 in their first innings with Kamran Akmal scoring 74. For the home team, Vettori and Daryl Tuffey claimed four wickets apiece for 58 and 64 respectively.
Asif was named Man of the Match for his brilliant bowling.
Brief scores: Pakistan 264 (K Akmal 74; Vettori 4/58, Tuffey 4/64, O’Brien 2/78) and 239 (Yousuf 83, U Akmal 52; Martin 4/52, O’Brien 4/66, Elliott 2/8); New Zealand 99 (Taylor 30; Asif 4/40, Kaneria 3/6, Gul 2/21) and 263 (Taylor 97, Vettori 40; Asif 5/67, Kaneria 3/74, Aamer 2/64). Pakistan won by 141 runs.
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