New Zealand collapse to hand Pakistan first-day initiative

VIEW MATCH CENTRE

Having built one meaningful partnership – one of 72 between Kane Williamson (63) at No.3 and Henry Nicholls (28) at No.5 – New Zealand proceeded to lose their final seven wickets for just 42 runs to be skittled out for 153 having won the toss.

They managed to dislodge both of Pakistan’s openers – Imam ul Haq caught at gully off Colin de Grandhomme and Mohammad Hafeez-hitting a pull to mid-wicket off Trent Boult – to see Pakistan trailing by 94 with eight wickets remaining (on 59/2) at the close.

Wickets had been shared around for Pakistan, with Hasan Ali in particular making a notable impact with an exhilarating two in two balls in an afternoon that swung the day decisively Pakistan’s way. He picked up the seemingly immoveable Williamson with a leg-side strangle before seeing off de Garndhomme lbw for a golden duck.

Earlier, debutant opener Jeet Raval was the fist to fall, caught behind to Mohammad Abbas. His partner Tom Latham then chipped leg-spinner Yasir Shah to mid-wicket soon after, and when Ross Taylor fell cheaply, caught behind to Yasir, New Zealand were in trouble.

The partnership between Williamson and Nicholls steadied things but was ended when Nicolls edged behind attempting a forceful drive off Abbas.

After de Grandhomme went, so did the rest of the Kiwi batting line-up – only BJ Watling (10) and Neil Wagner (12) reaching double figures. Abbas and Hasan finished with two apiece, Yasir three, while Bilal Asif took one and Haris Sohail ended with the remarkable figures of 2/11 off eight overs.

Disappointing though their first day was, those two late wickets give New Zealand every hope of getting back into the contest on day two.