Hamilton humiliation: Embarrassing collapse hands NZ historic win

Kiwis register first series triumph over Pakistan in over 30 years

KARACHI: New Zealand took nine wickets in a dramatic final session of the second Test against Pakistan to win by 138 runs in Hamilton and clean sweep their series 2-0.

It was New Zealand’s first series win over Pakistan since 1985.

Pakistan were faced with an imposing 369-run target in their second innings but set themselves up for a run-a-ball slog when they reached tea on the final day at 158-1 courtesy Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali’s 131-run opening stand.

The match edged towards a cliff-hanger finish before Tim Southee removed Pakistan’s leading run scorer Aslam for 91.

That started a rapid collapse which saw their last eight wickets fall for 49 in 20 overs with Neil Wagner taking the last three for no runs in just six deliveries.





The defeat also ended Pakistan’s seven-series unbeaten run and also allowed the Kiwis to post their biggest win, in terms of runs, over the Green Caps.

‘Strong start should have been built upon’

Former Test cricketer Shoaib Muhammad rued the way Pakistan’s middle-order collapsed following a brilliant opening stand.

“Azhar and Sami Aslam did an excellent job with a solid partnership and took the pressure off from middle-order,” Shoaib told The Express Tribune.  “Pakistan should not have lost the match after that opening partnership.”

While Shoaib was baffled with the way Pakistan capitulated, he believes the trend started during the third Test against the West Indies.

“The batting collapse is very alarming but the problem started with the last Test against the West Indies [in Sharjah]. The batsmen gave away their wickets on short-pitched deliveries and they repeated the same mistakes throughout the New Zealand series,” he added.



The former Test opener pointed out that batsmen were ‘irresponsible’ throughout the New Zealand tour. “We saw irresponsible batting and bad shot-selection throughout the series which cost the team heavily. It seems there is no one to guide the batsmen as they are repeating the same mistakes again and again.”

He further added, “Our fast-bowlers failed to exploit the conditions in the first innings and allowed New Zealand to score a decent total that gave them confidence. Pakistan also missed crucial catches in both innings.”

Shoaib, a former selector admitted the team management made a mistake by not fielding leg-spinner Yasir Shah in the final Test.

“The team management did not do proper homework which led to Yasir’s snub. The pitch changed drastically and it started favouring spinners in the last two days. Our officials should have had an idea about it.”



Pakistan fined for slow over-rate

The International Cricket Council (ICC) fined Pakistan for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand during the second Test in Hamilton.

According to an ICC media release, Richie Richardson of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Azhar Ali’s side was ruled to be five overs short of the target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Azhar has been fined 100% of his match fee, while his players have been fined 50%.

Azhar pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2016.

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