Cricket: NZ thrashed in all facets of first test

Ish Sodhi's 63 yesterday was the highest total by a NZ No 10 batsman against Pakistan. Photo / AP

Regardless of whether batting, bowling or fielding was the root cause, New Zealand were routed by 248 runs in the first cricket test against Pakistan.

Each discipline had a good case and the visitors have three days to address what went wrong so they can attempt to bridge the chasm before the second test in Dubai on a similar surface which, if anything, is more conducive to spin.

Winning the toss might help but a logical starting point is the need for more runs from New Zealand's batting spine of Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson.

A day at the test: NZ v Pakistan, day five

The trio contributed just 91 in this test. In fact, apart from Tom Latham's maiden test century, no other New Zealand top-order batsman passed 48.

Taylor said: "The more nervous you are, the harder your hands are [for playing spin]. The more you bat, the softer they get."

He noted the need for New Zealand's batsmen to make positive decisions whether to sweep or use their feet to get to the pitch of the ball.

McCullum concurred: "Judging spin is the hardest thing in this part of the world. Is it turning, bouncing or skidding? How much drift is there? Trying to come up with a quick assessment and adapting in the initial stages of an innings with catchers round the bat generates a lot of pressure."

Arguably, a wider problem lies with the bowling, with Pakistan's aggregate total of 741 for five. For the most part it was consistent, albeit let down by a missed stumping and several dropped catches.

However, five wickets are the equal-fewest New Zealand have taken in a test against Pakistan. On the other two occasions - Wellington, 1994 and Auckland, 1989 - Pakistan batted in only one innings.

"Pakistan deserve kudos," McCullum said. "They were dominant from the get-go and played the perfect test.

"The toss was a big factor for us, especially when you're coming over here to play a team so familiar and red hot in these conditions. Hopefully I win the toss next game."

The trouncing came despite a fighting 10th wicket partnership of 54 between Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.

The pair grafted out the first hour before Sodhi succumbed lbw for 63, his highest test innings, which ended the visitors' fight at 231.

Sodhi's innings is also the top score by a NZ No 10 against Pakistan.

Best scores by New Zealand No.10 batsmen against Pakistan
Ish Sodhi, 63, Abu Dhabi, 2014
Danny Morrison, 42, Wellington, 1994
Daryl Tuffey, 35, Hamilton, 2003
Richard Collinge, 32, Christchurch, 1965
Iain O'Brien, 31, Wellington, 2009

Mark Craig was bowled by Yasir Shah for 28 in the second over of the morning. McCullum urged caution to over-reactions. "Sometimes you've got to admit you were second-best, cop it on the chin, reflect on it, but don't over analyse.

Mark Craig of New Zealand is bowled by Yasir Shah. Photo / Getty Images

"If we win the toss, build partnerships and get a big score, I'm sure we'll start picking up more wickets. We didn't take several chances and over here you can't be needing to get 26-27 wickets.

"From a bowling point of view the wicket was dead on days one and two but got better in pace as the game went on. If Pakistan win the toss I reckon it's a 70/30 advantage to them. If we win, it's 55/45 in our favour."

The triumph was iced for Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq by becoming the most successful at the job in his country's test history. He has led Pakistan to victory in 15 out of 33 tests, compared with Imran Khan and Javed Miandad's 14 out of 48 and 34 tests respectively.

Andrew Alderson travelled to the UAE courtesy of Emirates.