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Pakistan vs New Zealand 2014: New Zealand’s inspired performance in 2nd Test serves important lesson to non-Asian countries

New Zealand are certainly not a side that scare their oppositions, especially in Test cricket.

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New Zealand © Getty Images
New Zealand came within striking distance of a win in the second Test against Pakistan © Getty Images

A dominant Pakistan would not have imagined this — New Zealand not only rising to the challenge but also threatening to level their ongoing three-match Test series. The Kiwis fought hard, but could not get past the finishing line. Nevertheless, the Test witnessed a spirited performance from a non-Asian side in the subcontinent, something that is a rare sight these days. Devarchit Varma has more.

When was the last time the cricket fraternity witnessed a non-Asian team producing such an inspired show, especially coming off from a loss in the previous game? New Zealand, with their all-round performance in the second Test not only gave Pakistan a good run for their money, but also proved that they are a much better side than what the world perceives them to be.

Australia, who played in the same venues before the Kiwis, after all the success they have had in Test cricket, floundered so pitiably that they ended up losing a Test series to Pakistan after a good long 28 years. Every human makes mistakes and a team is also bound do, But New Zealand were smart enough to learn from them and not repeat those. This certainly speaks volumes about their grittiness and adaptability.

Challenging a side as strong as Pakistan in those conditions, despite not having an experienced quality spinner is a huge achievement, and New Zealand deserve more applause than they actually got. While some may argue that the series is not yet over and New Zealand still have a Test to win in order to avoid a defeat, there should not be any opportunity missed to praise a non-Asian side which actually produced a performance that stood opposite to what these sides usually dish out in the subcontinent.

New Zealand are certainly not a side that scare their oppositions, especially in Test cricket. They play a different brand of cricket and take pride on having some of the most explosive batsmen. Most of their players are suited to the limited-overs formats than to the conventional, where technique and temperament go through the ultimate test. Despite that it was heartening to see someone like Ross Taylor playing out of his skin and producing the knock which helped the New Zealand team to challenge Pakistan’s authority in such an emphatic manner.

New Zealand would certainly be tad disappointed with the outcome; after all their bowlers actually tried everything they had in offering to remove the Pakistan batsmen. However, they should not be disheartened, as they are on a right track; and who knows, with Daniel Vettori back in their line-up they can pull off another good, series-levelling performance. His comeback has come out of the blue but nevertheless it comes as a blessing to the Kiwis who laid down the blueprint of success against Pakistan on those tracks.

The return of Vettori into the side and Taylor’s good form may actually provide New Zealand the firepower that they were perhaps missing so far in this series. They did produce an excellent show in the second Test by not allowing Pakistan to come anywhere close to win the match. Their performance in all the departments, on the field and off it, produce strong lessons for teams like Australia and England, who had to cut a sorry figure in UAE immediately after the glory that they had achieved.

(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)

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