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HAMILTON: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-haq singled out his bowlers for sticking to their plans as they ran through New Zealand, dismissing them in a session to set up a crushing 10-wicket first test victory inside three days at Seddon Park on Sunday.
Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the two match series after they bowled New Zealand out for 110 runs in their second innings, meaning they would need just 19 runs to achieve the win, having taken a valuable 92-run first innings lead.
Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez quickly rattled through to 21 without loss to achieve the win in 3.4 overs.
Left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who probably would not have played had Saeed Adjmal not returned to Pakistan following the death of his father, produced a man of the match performance with a match tally of six for 75 off 45 overs.
Rehman bowled long sustained periods of tight bowling that stemmed the normally free-flowing New Zealanders from scoring runs.
He was ably supported by the pace trio of Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed and Wahab Riaz, who had to bowl into a relatively flat wicket that showed, when batsmen were established, it was difficult to get them out.
“I think the bowlers did a superb job, they stuck to their task and did very well for the team.” Misbah told reporters.
“I feel that it was really tough, tough wicket to score runs and batsmen could just sit there and face a lot of deliveries without scoring runs.
“So that was the key, just bowl in the right areas, keep the batsmen frustrated and they would make mistakes.”
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, while bitterly disappointed as his side's second innings batting effort, also praised the Pakistani bowling effort.
“I think there is some credit, too, to the way Pakistan bowled, particularly (Wahab) Riaz,” Vettori said.
“He came in and bowled a 10-over spell which really gave them the impetus to come pretty hard at us.
“While we will always be disappointed to be bowled out like that, I think you do have to sit back and say it was a good bowling performance.”
