Comeback king Shane Bond denied Umar Akmal a fairytale debut as New Zealand won the first cricket test by 32 runs over Pakistan at University Oval here today.
Playing his first test for two years, Bond eventually overshadowed the exploits of a 19-year-old who achieved a rare batting double before
his demise signalled the final momentum shift of a fluctuating match.
Set a victory target of 251 in 91 overs, Pakistan were dismissed for 218 as New Zealand grabbed the early initiative in a three-match series which resumes in Wellington next Thursday.
When Akmal tamely prodded a return catch to Bond -- a rare false stroke during an assured 75-run knock -- New Zealand's spirits were transformed with the tourists 56 short of their target.
Although Bond made the key breakthrough, Iain O'Brien tightened New Zealand's grip five balls later when he trapped Akmal's brother, Kamran, leg before wicket for 27 to leave Pakistan at 197 for seven.
The brothers constructed a 176-run partnership in Pakistan's first innings, which underlined the importance of their exits in quick succession after they added 34.
Despite dislocating a finger on his bowling hand during his match-turning spell O'Brien persevered to remove Umar Gul before Daniel Vettori wrapped up the tail to seal just New Zealand's third test victory against a major test playing nation in 24 attempts.
Captain Vettori was quick to praise his fast bowlers' final bursts after Pakistan entered the final session needing 86 runs with five wickets in hand.
"It was about breaking that (Akmal brothers) partnership," he said.
"You can't deny the spells by Iain and Shane, both bowling eight or nine overs in a row brought us into the game.
"The Kamran Akmal wicket was when everyone started to believe we could finish it off."
O'Brien ended with figures of three for 63 and plaudits for his courage after his ring finger was bent out of shape by a Kamran Akmal drive.
"I saw the pain he was in when his eyes welled up, he must've been in agony because the finger was also out of place," Vettori said.
"So for him to do that and get a wicket in the next couple of overs ... I'm really proud of him being able to do that and bowl so well."
Bond's three for 46 from 21 overs contributed to a match analysis of eight for 153 in his first test against Pakistan, figures that earned him the man-of-the-match award.
Had Pakistan prevailed that accolade was Umar Akmal's.
A composed half-century complemented his 129 from 160 balls on Thursday and saw him become just the ninth player in history to make a century and half-century on debut.
Pakistan had appeared on track at tea after earlier slumping to 24 for three as Bond and Chris Martin removed Khurram Manzoor for four, Imran Farhat for one and Fawad Alam for five before lunch through a combination of sharp catching and astute field placement.
However, while the younger Akmal remained in the middle New Zealand could not relax as he exhibited control and a steady temperament to match his talent.
He figured in three potentially influential stands, dragging Pakistan to 95 with captain Mohammad Yousuf, who scored 41, then adding 66 with Shoaib Malik, who made 32, before being joined by his brother.
SCOREBOARD
Scoreboard after the fifth and final day of the first cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan at University Oval here today:
New Zealand
Second innings (overnight 147-8)
M Guptill b Aamer 0
T McIntosh lbw b Asif 31
D Flynn lbw b Aamer 0
R Taylor run out 59
P Fulton lbw b Gul 0
G Elliott c K Akmal b Gul 25
B McCullum c K Akmal b Asif 0
D Vettori c Alam b Asif 8
S Bond b Asif 7
I O'Brien lbw b Gul 4
C Martin not out 1
Extras (4b, 5lb, 1w, 3nb, 5pen) 18
Total (67 overs) 153
Fall: 0 (Guptill), 0 (Flynn), 87 (Taylor), 91 (Fulton), 112 (McIntosh), 115 (McCullum), 123 (Vettori), 143 (Bond), 150 (O'Brien), 153 (Elliott).
Bowling: M Aamer 16-7-29-2, M Asif 20-6-43-4 (1nb 1w), U Gul 14-3-41-3 (2nb), S Ajmal 17-5-26-0.
Pakistan
Second innings
K Manzoor c McCullum b Bond 4
I Farhat c McIntosh b Martin 1
F Alam c Fulton b Bond 5
M Yousuf c McCullum b Martin 41
U Akmal c and b Bond 75
S Malik c McCullum b O'Brien 32
K Akmal lbw b O'Brien 27
M Aamer c and b Vettori 15
U Gul c Vettori b O'Brien 4
M Asif c Taylor b Vettori 0
S Ajmal not out 1
Extras (9b, 1lb, 2w, 1nb) 13
Total (76 overs) 218
Fall: 4 (Manzoor), 6 (Farhat), 24 (Alam), 95 (Yousuf), 161 (Malik), 195 (U Akmal), 197 (K Akmal), 203 (Gul), 213 (Asif), 218 (Aamer).
Bowling: S Bond 21-5-46-3, C Martin 16-4-45-2 (1nb), I O'Brien 23-3-63-3 (2w), D Vettori 14-1-51-2, G Elliott 2-0-3-0.
Result: New Zealand won by 32 runs.
The second test in the three-match series starts in Wellington on Thursday.
- NZPA
Cricket: NZ wins first test
Man-of-the-match Shane Bond led the New Zealand attack. Photo / Getty Images
Comeback king Shane Bond denied Umar Akmal a fairytale debut as New Zealand won the first cricket test by 32 runs over Pakistan at University Oval here today.
Playing his first test for two years, Bond eventually overshadowed the exploits of a 19-year-old who achieved a rare batting double before
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