Pakistan succumbed to debutant spinner Ajaz Patel’s five-wicket haul and lost the first Test against New Zealand by four runs on Monday.
Needing 139 more runs with all 10 wickets in hand on the fourth day, Pakistan was bowled out for 171 with Patel taking 5-59 and Wagner claiming 2-27.
Azhar Ali (65) and Asad Shafiq (45) seemed to have carried Pakistan to victory with an 82-run fourth wicket stand before Wagner broke through just before lunch by having Shafiq caught behind.
Babar Azam’s (10) run out in a mix-up with Azhar triggered the collapse as Pakistan lost its last six wickets for only 24 runs.
Azhar was the last man to be dismissed when Patel had him leg before wicket as New Zealand recorded its narrowest test victory in terms of runs. The Black Caps made a promising start on day four of their first Test against Pakistan, snaring four wickets in the first session as the home team were set the target of 176-runs to claim the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan finished the first session with 130-4. Ajaz Patel had figures of 1-40 with the ball for New Zealand, with Ish Sodhi (2-37) striking early with two wickets of his own.
Asad Shafiq (45) and Azhar Ali (40) settled the innings for Pakistan with a partnership of 82-runs, before Shafiq was dismissed by Neil Wagner just before lunch. Shafiq was caught from behind by BJ Watling and finished five-runs short of reaching a half ton. Pakistan need 46 more runs to wrap up the first Test.
