Akmal Brothers save the day for Pakistan

Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 8:16 pm under Sports News Akmal Brothers save the day for Pakistan

Pakistan after getting reduced to a disastrous 85 for 5 fought back superbly through Umar Akmal and his older brother Kamran Akmal to end Day 3 at 307 for 8. Umar Akmal went onto score a century on Test Debut! The Akmal Brothers put on a terrific counter punch with a partnership of 176 for the sixth wicket. New Zealand still hold the game in their control as Pakistan have a deficit of 122 runs and there are a couple of days left in this Dunedin match. Pakistan would be looking for some weather intervention to keep New Zealand away from a victory.

New Zealand resumed Day 3 at 404 for 8 and could add a further 25 runs before getting bowled out. Mohammad Asif finished with 4 for 108 in 34 overs. Pakistan in their first innings got off to a bad start when Khurram Manzoor dragged his forcing shot onto his stumps off Chris Martin in the 4th over. By lunch, Pakistan lost their other opener Imran Farhat who challenged an lbw decision through a review but in vain. Martin was again the successful bowler to take this wicket and Pak went to lunch at 50 for 2.

Pakistan had more trouble in store in the afternoon session as they lost three more wickets to put New Zealand in a winning position. Shane Bond bowled at his very best to pick the wickets of Skipper Mohammad Yousuf (17), Fawad Alam (29) and Shoaib Malik (2) in the space of around 4 overs. Yousuf played an uppish drive back to Bond who came up with a forward diving catch. Fawad Alam and Shoaib Malik both fell to rising deliveries.

At 85 for 5, the Kiwis were right on top of Pakistan but the Akmal brothers had different ideas. Umar Akmal initiated the counter attack by slogging Vettori over mid wicket for a six and his older brother Kamran joined the fight in same vein. For the next 40 overs or so, the Kiwi attack was put to sword before Kamran Akmal threw his wicket by giving the charge to Vettori but only to edge his big shot to slip. The wicket keeper batsman scored a superb 82 from 136 balls with 11 fours and a six.

Towards the fag end of the day’s play, Umar Akmal got dismissed getting caught at deep point after a brilliant 129 (from 160 balls with 21 fours and 2 sixes). Vettori rounded off the day with the wicket of Umar Gul.

Written by: mashah

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