Andrew Alderson on the key moments after the second day of the first test between New Zealand and Pakistan at Abu Dhabi.
Important moment:
Ish Sodhi taking the top of Azhar Ali's off stump with orthodox leg spinning brilliance. Gave New Zealand brief respite, demonstrated Sodhi's pedigree and showed the direction this test is going. The visiting batsmen had best be prepared...
Best shot:
Ahmed Shehzad showed delicate touch when he steered Corey Anderson just beyond the grasp of short third man in the 114th over. Exemplified the timing he generated through his wrists and was more subtlety than outright power.
Ball of the day:
How did Anderson get one to spring up and clobber Shehzad in the temple his next over? Was it brute strength or was there a disc of bounce on an otherwise flat bed of clay? Regardless, it created drama and relief for New Zealand before lunch.
That's quirky:
Of the 12 players dismissed by New Zealand hit-wicket in tests, four are Pakistanis.
Tweet as:
Guy Heveldt @guyheveldt
Chris Martin could probably bat out 90 overs on this deck #PakvNZ
Stats all:
Courtesy of the New Zealand Cricket Museum: Ahmed Shehzad is the first player out hit-wicket to New Zealand since England's Mark Butcher fell to Ian Butler in 2002.
Testometer
11/12 - in favour of Pakistan.
ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES