Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 5: Pak salvage draw after Taylor ton

Pakistan salvaged a draw in the second Test after New Zealand set a challenging target of 261 off 72 overs on the back of a brilliant hundred from Ross Taylor in Dubai on Friday.

Pakistan's four early wickets had set up the possibility of all results at tea but in the end Pakistan fell 65 runs short when bad light finished play five overs early.

Asad Shafiq scored 41 not out and Sarfraz Ahmed 24 as Pakistan finished at 196-5 which kept their 1-0 lead in the series intact.

It was an exciting finish before an 8,000 holiday crowd who anticipated a Pakistani win after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had sportingly declared his second innings at 250-9.

That was made possible after Ross Taylor notched a brilliant 104 for his 12th Test century.

Younis (44) and Shafiq lifted Pakistan from a precarious 75-4 after Trent Boult had dismissed Shan Masood (40) and skipper Misbah-ul Haq (nought) in his successive overs.

Pakistan, needing 130 in the last 20 overs, picked up the tempo with Shafiq hitting two boundaries off Mark Craig but the off-spinner derailed the chase when he dismissed Younis with a turning delivery which rose on the batsman and the ensuing edge was well taken in the slip.

Younis hit three sixes and two boundaries in his 84-ball knock.

Boult finished with 2-12 while Craig had 2-66.

Pakistan won the first Test by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi last week.

The third and final Test starts in Sharjah from November 26.

Pakistan had lost opener Taufeeq Umar for four in the second over to Tim Southee before Masood and Azhar Ali (24) put on a solid 62 for the second wicket.

Ali then hit a Craig full toss straight into the hands of covers before Boult trapped Masood leg-before and had Misbah caught behind off a beautiful delivery.

Masood was shaping well during his 95-ball knock, hitting two sixes and a boundary.

Anchor

Earlier Taylor anchored the New Zealand innings.

Taylor, who had just 31 runs in the three previous innings of the series, batted with authority during his 200-minute stay at the crease studded with 12 boundaries.

New Zealand, resuming at 167-6, looked for quick runs which came once Taylor reached his hundred with a single off seamer Ehsan Adil. It took him 129 balls to reach the three-figure mark.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who finished with his first five-wicket haul for figures of 5-79, removed Taylor and Mark Craig (34) in the same over.

Craig holed out in the deep while Taylor was beaten by a sharp turning delivery and was smartly stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed.

Southee hit Zulfiqar Babar (4-96) for three towering sixes before he was caught in the covers before McCullum declared.

Scoreboard:

New Zealand 1st innings 403 (T. Latham 137, M. Craig 43; Zulfiqar Babar 4-137)

Pakistan 1st innings 393 (Sarfraz Ahmed 112, Azhar Ali 75, Younis Khan 72; T. Southee 3-67)

New Zealand 2nd innings (overnight 167-6)

T. Latham c Shafiq b Shah 9
B. McCullum lbw b Babar  45
K. Williamson c Umar b Babar 11
R. Taylor st Ahmed b Shah 104
C. Anderson b Shah  0
J. Neesham b Babar  11
BJ Watling c Shafiq b Shah 11
M. Craig c Rahat b Shah  34
T. Southee c Ali b Babar 20
I. Sodhi not out  2
Extras: (lb3)  3
Total: (for nine wkts dec; 64.5 overs) 250
Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Latham), 2-63 (Williamson), 3-78 (McCullum), 4-79 (Anderson), 5-125 (Neesham), 6-166 (Watling), 7-226 (Craig), 8-228 (Taylor), 9-250 (Southee)
Bowling: Rahat 8-0-39-0, Adil 8-1-33-0, Babar 27.5-5-96-4, Shah 21-1-79-5

Pakistan 2nd innings

Shan Masood lbw b Boult  40
Taufeeq Umar c Watling b Southee 4
Azhar Ali c Neesham b Craig 24
Younis Khan c Watling b Craig 44
Misbah-ul Haq c Watling b Boult 0
Asad Shafiq not out  41
Sarfraz Ahmed not out  24
Extras: (b15, lb2, nb1, w1) 19
Total: (for five wkts; 67 overs) 196
Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Umar), 2-70 (Ali), 3-73 (Masood), 4-75 (Misbah), 5-149 (Younis)
Bowling: Boult 10-6-12-2, Southee 11-3-21-1, Craig 17-3-66-2, Sodhi 21-5-63-0, Anderson 3-1-4-0 (1w), Neesham 2-1-1-0, McCullum 3-0-12-0

Result: Drawn
Toss: New Zealand
Umpires: Paul Reiffel (AUS) and Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Pakistan ininngs

A victory looks to be a difficult one for Pakistan as they need 74 runs from seven overs. Pak 187-5 in 65 overs.

Craig gets his second wicket and another important one. Younus Khan was looking rock solid as he departs for 44. Pak 149-5 in 55.3 overs.

Younus Khan c Taylor b Craig 44 (84b 2x4 3x6)

The partnership reaches 65 with Younus Khan batting on 39 while Shafiq on 23. Pak 140-4 in 54 overs.

It's been an exciting session at the Dubai International Stadium. Pakistan still need 147 runs to win in the final session with six wickets remaining.

Younus Khan showed great form hitting two sixes at the end of the second session as he reached 30 while Asad Shafiq is on 11.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Pakistan still need another 164 runs and with 32 overs remaining it looks to be a difficult chase. The partnership between Younus Khan and Asad Shafiq will be important for the hosts. Pak 97-4 in 40 overs. 

Big disappointment among Pakistan fans as Misbah is gone edging to the wicketkeeper. New Zealand is turning things around. Pak 74-4 in 31.5 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c Watling b Boult 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Kiwis remove another as Pakistan look to be slipping. They still need another 188 to win. A lot will depend on Younus Khan and Misbah this evening. Pak 73-3 in 30 overs. 

Shan Masood lbw b Boult 40 (95b 1x4 2x6) 

Azhar Ali can't believe it. He hits a full toss directly into the hands of Neesham at cover. Pak 70-2 in 27.3 overs.

Azhar Ali c Neesham b Craig 24 (74b 3x4 0x6)

The parntership between Masood and Ali crosses half century as Pakistan now need another 202 runs to win with a minimum of 50 overs remaining. Pak 59-1 in 22 overs.

Pakistan need another 219 with nine wickets remaining. Masood and Ali have build a fine partnership of 34 and will look to carry on the good work. Pak 42-1 in 17 overs.

Pakistan reach 32 for one at lunch. They need another 229 and nine wickets in hand with a minimum of 58 overs left for the day.

Shan Masood batting on 11 while Azhar Ali is on 13.

MORNING SESSION

With lunch round the corner, Pakistan is not taking any chances and taking a cautious approach. Pak 30-1 in 11 overs.

New Zealand bowlers are giving no room for Pakistan batsmen. They are made to work hard. Pak 15-1 in 7 overs. 

New Zealand pluck an early one as Taufeeq gets an edge to the wicketkeeper. Pak 8-1 in 2 overs.

Taufeeq Umar c Watling b Southee 4 (6b 1x4 0x6)

Pakistan open with Shan Masood and Taufeeq Umar.

NEW ZEALAND INNINGS

Southee blasts three successive sixes before he succumbs to Zulfiqar Babar. New Zealand immediately declare to give Pakistan a target of 261 in 72 overs. NZ 250-9 decl

Tim Southee c Azhar Ali b Zulfiqar Babar 20 (5b 0x4 3x6)

That's another quick one for Pakistan as Taylor departs. His fighting knock has put New Zealand a healthy lead. NZ 231-8 in 64 overs.

Ross Taylor st Sarfraz Ahmed b Yasir Shah 104 (133b 12x4 0x6) 

A wicket finally for Pakistan as Craig perishes attempting a big one. Easy catch from Rahat Ali off Yasir Shah bowling. NZ 226-7 in 63.2 overs.

Mark Craig c Rahat Ali b Yasir Shah 34 (53b 3x4 1x6)

A superb knock from Taylor. He has been the pillar of New Zealand's second innings as he gets his ton from 129 balls including 12 boundaries. NZ 218-6 in 62 overs.

Taylor still two runs away from his century. Pakistan desperately looking for a wicket. NZ 215-6 in 60 overs.

Taylor is on 94 as he ensures New Zealand's lead crosses 200. NZ 192-6 in 55 overs.

Dropped! Craig survives after a thick edge to the slip was dropped by Taufeeq. Rahat Ali is not happy. NZ 182-6 in 52 overs.

New Zealand are 173 for six in 50 overs with a lead of 183.

Taylor will look to extend the lead with the support of Craig. Both batsmen in the middle as Zulfiqar Babar prepares to bowl on the final day.

PREVIEW

Ross Taylor hit a return-to-form half-century to help New Zealand recover after Sarfraz Ahmed hit a fighting hundred for Pakistan in the second Test in Dubai on Thursday.

Taylor was 77 not out for his 23rd fifty to help his team recover from a shaky 79-4 to close the fourth day on 167-6, having an overall lead of 177 with four wickets intact.

Mark Craig (nought) was in Taylor's company as New Zealand will seek a series-levelling win in the three-Test series on an intriguing final day.

Pakistan won the first Test by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi last week.

Sarfraz's 112 led Pakistan's fightback as they managed 393 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand's 403, conceding a slender 10-run lead.

Pakistani spinners Zulfiqar Babar (3-60) and Yasir Shah (3-65) had jolted New Zealand but Taylor stood firm.

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