Published: Nov 26, 2016, 02:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 25, 2016, 09:04 PM (IST)
Hello, and welcome to CricketCountry’s live update of Day Two of the second Test between New Zealand and Pakistan match which is being played at the Seddon Park, Hamilton. The first day of the Test has not yielded much of action as rain played a spoilsport. New Zealand reached a total of 77 runs for the loss of two wickets in the 21 overs of the game that was possible. The hosts have opener Jeet Raval at the crease batting along with Ross Taylor after they lost Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson in quick successions while for Pakistan, Mohammad Aamer and Sohail Khan have taken one wicket each. Live cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd Test at Hamilton
The Day One had persistent rains written all over it. Rain first delayed the toss which was eventually won by Pakistan who opted to bowl first as the rainfall triggered some help for the bowlers. Pakistan went with what can be called as a bold move of benching Yasir Shah while Mohammad Rizwan made it to the starting XI. Pakistan started off on a great note as they got rid of Tom Latham in the initial stage of the game. The hosts had just put 5 runs on the board when Latham walked back.
It was just a matter of few overs when New Zealand lost their skipper Williamson. The skipper looked in good touch but some great and stringent bowling from Pakistan got the better of the Kiwi skipper. Williamson departed on an individual score of 13 runs from 42 deliveries.
It seemed like Pakistan would dominate the latter stage of the game. But Taylor who walked in at No. 4 looked in fine form. He has scored 29 runs from just 20 balls and has already hit 6 cracking boundaries. On the other end, Jeet Raval has looked very much confident. He has played the short balls, Yorkers and every other ball which have been bowled to him with precision.
Raval is currently unbeaten on 35 runs from 63 balls and has 5 boundaries besides his name. Raval and Taylor have made 38 runs stand from 37 deliveries for the fourth wicket and these two will have to be at the crease for a longer time on Day Two to make sure of a good total in the first innings.
The play of Day One was abandoned due to persistent rains. The groundsmen had a busy job at Hamilton due to the on and off rains during the second session and eventually the play was called off.
All we can hope for is that the play resumes to normalcy on Day Two and that we get to see a good game of cricket as both teams would be eager to get down and play to the best of their ability!
