Asif four-for sends New Zealand packing at Wellington

New Zealand were bundled out for 99 on the second day of the second test match thanks to a four wicket haul by the comeback man Mohammad Asif. This was in reply to Pakistan’s 264 in the first innings. By the time the second day had ended, the Pakistanis had an overall lead of 229 with eight wickets standing.>

Resuming on their overnight total of 161/6, the Pakistanis looked to be on course for what Salman Butt had predicted last night for them; a total of 250. Kamran Akmal, who had been one of the not-out batsman, carried on his good work to get to his half century. He was ably supported by the likes of Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul in the lower order, who got 21 and 31 respectively. Darryl Tuffey, who was in his comeback game as well, scalped four wickets, while Daniel Vettori bagged four for 58.>

With the pitch having enough in it for the bowlers, the Pakistanis were all over the Kiwis immediately. Martin Gutill was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, whereas Tim McIntosh followed him soon after to leave the hosts struggling at 5/2. Ross Taylor did add 43 with Daniel Flynn, but another couple of dismissals had the hosts going into tea on 77/4.

While the total of 264 looked far at that stage, not too many would have guessed that Asif and Danish Kaneria – taken in place of Saeed Ajmal – will run through the middle and lower order in the manner they did. The last six wickets added only 15 runs to be shot out for 99! Asif ended on 4/40 whereas Kaneria had three wickets for six runs.

New Zealand did scalp two Pakistani second innings wicket by the end of play, but by then, they had scored 64 and with the experienced Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease, the match looked to have slipped out of the hosts’ grasp.