UNDERSTANDABLY when a team batting first on the first day of a Test is bowled out cheaply it drags on dangerously to protect themselves from the humiliation of a defeat and in the end only a miracle comes to their rescue.

The New Zealanders after being shot out for a paltry 153 almost at the stroke of tea yesterday are now in that kind of situation from where it would be tough for them to control the game unless they are able to strike back with as much venom as did Pakistan to bring themselves back in the game and stop Sarfraz Ahmed’s men take the initiative to start with.

In a bowlers dominated days play in which twelve wickets fell one will obviously get the impression that it had something to do with the state of the pitch but the truth of the matter is that it was reckless approach of the visiting batsmen that got them into trouble against Pakistan’s clinical and controlled mixture of pace and spin.

Pakistan’s bowling throughout not only on overseas tours but also here in the shorter format and at Test level has proved that it can bowl any side out no matter what the strength of the opposition is.

The Kiwis have a reputation of their own and are considered to be a reasonably competitive outfit and were expected to do a lot better than they did on the first day to be out cheaply.

Mohammad Abbas continued from he had left against the Australians, pinning the batsmen quiet in their track to once again start the slide as the game progressed at a funeral pace against controlled pace and spin attack that Pakistan had on offer.

What was even more pleasing was the fact to see leg-spinner Yasir Shah bowl with a lot more authority than he did against the Australians.

For a wrist spinner it is important to assess the state of the pitch and the type of the batsmen facing him to adjust his line, length and flight to achieve a desired result. Yasir was bowling too quick against the Australians but here he looked so different against the Kiwis as he tossed the ball up and bowled at s slower pace reaping rich reward.

That obviously encouraged the rest as wickets fell at regular intervals after the lunch break. Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail and Bilal Asif too had a share of their own.

Giving Pakistan the edge to dictate the game game from here onwards and that would be possible only if their batsmen take charge and get past the visitors score to take a sizeable lead an then bowl the opposition out cheaply once again.

With eight wickets still in hand and with pitch as good as it is Pakistan has this golden opportunity to take control of this which obviously well poised for a decision earlier than one would expect this to finish.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2018