Middle order saves Pakistan as visitors make an amazing comeback against New Zealand in Hamilton Test
Middle order saves Pakistan as visitors make an amazing comeback against New Zealand in Hamilton TestA crucial unbroken 128-run stand between Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq saw Pakistan regain control of the first Test against New Zealand on the second day on Saturday.
The salvage mission for the fifth wicket took Pakistan to 235 for four at stumps, trailing New Zealand's first innings 275 by 40 runs, with six wickets in hand.
Shafiq has produced the highest score of the Test so far to be unbeaten on 74 with his captain Misbah on 50 not out.
The pair came together when New Zealand had seized the initiative in the middle session with three quick wickets to have Pakistan teetering at 107 for four.
The in-form Misbah grafted for more than three hours and was content to play the anchor role while Shafiq kept the scoreboard ticking over, finding boundaries with ease.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori rotated his bowlers and even resorted to using part-timers Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill but Shafiq belted both of them out of the attack, scoring freely on both sides of the wicket.
Shafiq reached his 50 tickling an attempted yorker from Brent Arnel to fine-leg for a single and 14 overs later Misbah reached his milestone, hitting Williamson to the boundary.
The New Zealand first innings ended early in the day when their last three wickets fell for the addition of 15 runs. Tim Southee failed to add to his overnight 56 while Kane Williamson reached 50 before he fell and Arnel was the last batsman to be dismissed.
