Live Cricket Score, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st Test Day 4 at Christchurch: NZ win by 8 wickets

Live Cricket Score, NZ vs PAK, 1st Test Day 4 at Christchurch

Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates of fourth day of 1st Test of the series between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Day 1 ended with no play because of incessant rain at Christchurch. Day 2 saw Pakistan’s first innings folding up for 133 before New Zealand putting up 104 for 3 at the close of play. Day 3 witnessed hosts being bundled out for 200 with the crucial lead of 67 runs, followed by Pakistan’s another poor show from bat as they were seven down for 129 at the end of day’s play. This live blog will cover everything from Christchurch as Pakistan play this 2-Test series against New Zealand before going to Australia for 3-Test series. I am Chinmay Jawalekar bringing you all the live cricket updates and scores from this Test which promises to be an intense affair between both sides. Live Cricket Scores, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Christchurch

So far, the match is evenly poised but overall, New Zealand have dominated the visitors, especially with their impressive bowling. They began their third day’s play with their score of 104 for three but soon they started crumbling as they lost their next two wickets under next five runs. Thanks to debutant Colin de Grandhomme’s 29-run knock, followed by 20s each by Tim Southee and Trent Boult towards the end of the innings, which helped them in taking 67-run lead. After having gained the crucial lead of 67 runs in the first innings, the Kiwi side once did an excellent job with the ball with their tight bowling and thanks to pacer Trent Boult for that, as he scalped three wickets. His three wickets included two important batsman of Pakistan — Azharli Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed.

Beside Boult, his partner Neil Wagner also picked two wickets and became second fastest Kiwi bowler to take 100 Test wickets after Richard Hadlee. He took only 26 Tests to reach this milestone, while Hadlee took 25 Tests. Like Boult, Wagner’s two wicket were also of important Pakistan batsman — Babar Azam and Younis Khan. It was a combined bowling effort by Kiwi bowlers which put Pakistan once again on backfoot as they are currently leading by 62 runs with three wickets remaining.

Pakistan’s defeat in first Test looks imminent, as the conventional wisdom says New Zealand should close this game in the first session on Day Four. However, the clichéd saying says never to predict in a cricket match until the last ball has been bowled. Pakistan may be down and out, but their coach Mickey Arthur is still confident of his side bouncing back in the game after the third day’s play. “We’ve been out-played so far,” Said Arthur and refused to concede defeat saying, “We feel that 150-170, we could have a real chance because there’s still enough in the wicket.” Although, it looks unlikely that Pakistan would get those many runs with only one specialist batsman Shafiq in the middle. But, you never know.

The pitch is still assisting bowlers. And if Pakistan could get another 80 odd runs, their pacers would relish the chance of having a shot at the Kiwi batting with some runs in the kitty. If that happens, we have a game on; otherwise it is advantage New Zealand. It could well just be a formality for them as they walk out on Day Four and wrap up the game in the first session itself.