Misbah saves face in tour match

The tourists had mixed second day after they reached 234 for eight in response to NZ XI’s 384 all out.

The touring Pakistanis had a mixed second day after they reached 234 for eight in response to New Zealand Cricket XI’s 384 all out at the Cobham Oval (New), Whangarei.

Misbahul Haq was unbeaten on 99 but as usual the other batsmen contributed little to the total. Earlier, it was the Pakistan bowlers who staged a remarkable recovery to bundle out the hosts who collapsed dramatically to lose their last six wickets for 42 runs.

Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir shared the six wickets between them as they ran through the opposition’s middle and lower order.

Gul finished with three for 61 and Tanvir claimed four for 63 as the Pakistanis came back right into the game. But the recovery did not last long as their batsmen faltered to be reduced to 39 for four before Misbah added 52 with Asad Shafiq.

The Test captain rescued the innings with the lower order as opposite number Danier Vettori and fast-bowler Chris Martin took three wickets each.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th 2011.