11.44am So, kudos to Bilal Asif, who performs the sajda after wrapping up his second five-for in five Tests, and BJ Watling, who finishes unbeaten on 77 from exactly 250 balls. A performance of skill and endurance that has kept his side afloat in this contest. How will New Zealand's bowlers fare on this deck? We'll find out soon enough.
Sameer: "A challenging score indeed. If Bilal can spin on this track than certainly anyone can does. AY Patel will be a serious threat and considering recent form of Pakistani openers, we are up for a bowlers test match for sure."
hamza: "Wonderful and classic knock from Watling i will remember this knock as one of the best knock in Abu Dhabi by foreign Player. 77 not out on 250 balls wonderful. "
Meanwhile, there's an Ashes clash in just a little under four hours at the hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar today. ESPN's Jonathan Selvaraj found an interesting training tradition among the two-time reigning champions Australia, wherein the players are encouraged to wear the jerseys of their first club or team as a homage to where they have come from.
TA Boult b Bilal Asif 1 (9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 11.11
END OF OVER:116 | 2 Runs | NZ: 274/9
- Trent Boult1 (8b)
- BJ Watling77 (250b)
- Yasir Shah41-11-75-3
- Bilal Asif30-4-65-4
Sean Daniel: "A wonderful knock of patience from Watling.. however he should take more of the strike if NZ are to come close to 300.. And yes he shouldn't have taken that single of the very 1st ball of the over.. But still he has played one of the best test knocks of recent cricket.."
END OF OVER:115 | 1 Run 1 Wkt | NZ: 272/9
- Trent Boult0 (4b)
- BJ Watling76 (248b)
- Bilal Asif30-4-65-4
- Yasir Shah40-11-73-3
Sheeraz: "A Little off topic here but what are your thoughts on Afridis and Morgans statement regarding T10 cricket being the ideal format for taking the sport to Olympics. Personally I think T10 doesn't embody the true essence of cricket." Nor does the Olympics - an over-blown sports day - so they are probably a good match!
NaaIstam: "Miss the days of the Phantom at no.11" Don't we all? Cricket just isn't the same without his ineptitude
One upshot of that wicket... Yasir will have to wait until the second innings at least to reach his 200th wicket
New Zealand's innings starting to ebb away now. Does Watling change his tune with just Trent Boult for company?
AY Patel c Asad Shafiq b Bilal Asif 6 (25b 1x4 0x6) SR: 24.00
END OF OVER:114 | 1 Run | NZ: 271/8
- Ajaz Patel6 (24b)
- BJ Watling75 (247b)
- Yasir Shah40-11-73-3
- Bilal Asif29-4-64-3
END OF OVER:113 | 2 Runs | NZ: 270/8
- Ajaz Patel6 (20b)
- BJ Watling74 (245b)
- Bilal Asif29-4-64-3
- Yasir Shah39-11-72-3
Rohith: "Cricinfo giving faster updates than I watch live on Jio TV. Kudos Andrew & team, great job!!!" Why thank you. We are nothing if not ninja-speed ...
Dwapar Bhartari: "this is good strategy by NZ ,more they bat, more pitch will wear and become trouble for pakistan " It certainly worked for Pakistan in the second Test
