Sports Desk
Mount Maunganui: Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Rizwan rescued Pakistan at 80-6 and helped them avert first inning follow-on against New Zealand on Day 3 of the opening Test.
The right-left hand combination worked for Pakistan when they needed it the most and the duo put 107 runs together for the seventh-wicket partnership before Rizwan went run-out during a risky two-runs effort.
Rizwan smashed 71 runs off 148 balls with the help of eight boundaries whereas Faheem continued till the end and scored 91 runs laced with 15 boundaries and a six.
Earlier, Pakistan lost five wickets within just 50 runs after resuming the third day at the overnight score of 30-1.
Pakistan had a slowish start and looked comfortable with their defense until Kyle Jamieson’s short bouncer struck Abid Ali’s little finger of the left hand that dismantled the batter.
Jamieson in the next over bowled a full pitched delivery, rattling Abid’s stumps and he departed with a score of 25 off 104 balls.
Nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas carried to create anger on Kiwi bowlers but his resistance came to an end with Trent Boult dismissing him. He made 5 off 55 balls.
Tim Southee came back for another spell of the opening session and he removed former skipper Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail in the 43rd over.
Azhar was given not out by the on-field umpire but a review went against his favor. Haris went for a flashy drive but his feet were going nowhere as Henry Nicholls caught a simple catch at Gully.
Later on, Rain along with hailstones has stopped play at Bay Oval after Pakistan reached 112/6 at Tea. Rizwan and Faheem were at 29 and 21 respectively and the green caps were trailing by 319 runs.
The visitors made 50 runs in the second session for the loss of one wicket of Fawad Alam. Fawad was removed by Neil Wagner as he bowled a quick bouncer that nicked back to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.
New Zealand will bat in their second inning tomorrow with already having a lead of 192 runs.
