Pakistan succumbed to debutant Ajaz Patel 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 of the match, Pakistan was bowled out for 171 with Patel claiming his maiden five wicket-haul (5-59).
Azhar Ali (65) and Asad Shafiq (45) seemed to have carried the hosts to victory with an 82-run fourth wicket stand before Neil Wagner broke through just at the stroke of 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 trapped him infront of the wickets as the Kiwis recorded their narrowest Test victory in terms of runs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Well done @BLACKCAPS . What a great fightback and a memorable Test match. Test is Best ! #PAKvNZ
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 19, 2018
Holy scccchmoly!!!! 😜 What a test match!! #testcricketalivenkicking 😬👊🏻😎 congrats to @BLACKCAPS & @TheRealPCB Fabulous entertainment 👏🎉🌴Well done Mr Patel… on debut…. you little rippa!!! 😊👏 #golden
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) November 19, 2018
From 147/4 to lose chasing 176 required a special effort not just from NZ but from Pakistan. Only Pak can provide such thrillers out of easy victories. Well done to NZ and bad luck Pak #PakvNZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 19, 2018
A test match to remember for a long time. An outstanding effort from New Zealand to win this after being out of the game for so long. Their never-say- die attitude is so wonderful and Test Cricket is well and truly alive #PakvNZ
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 19, 2018
Wow. #PAKvsNZ #BlackCaps
— Andre Adams (@AndreAdams) November 19, 2018
Who said that test cricket is boring. What a match it was but unfortunately Pakistan lost.
Congratulations @BLACKCAPS #pakvsnz #unpredictablegame— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) November 19, 2018
Caught the last 30 mins. So tense! Test cricket at its best!
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) November 19, 2018
It is not for nothing that Pakistan have the reputation of being unpredictable and fragile in chases. Well on course to winning, then run-outs and slogs…..130-3, then147-4 needing 176 and lose by 4.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2018
What a tremendously grounded person Ajaz Patel is. Something really special about making your debut at 30 and getting this reward. @BLACKCAPS #nzlvpak
— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) November 19, 2018
What an extraordinary display of tenacity and belief from @BLACKCAPS to defeat Pakistan in Abu Dhabi by 4 runs, especially debutant Ajaz Patel with five for 59. Compelling viewing all evening.
— Andrew Alderson (@aldersonnotes) November 19, 2018
That was quite some debut from Ajaz Patel. And for Gary Stead as Coach. Awesome stuff. @BLACKCAPS
— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) November 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bazmccullum/status/1064465399792717830
With 29 needed and six wickets in hands to losing the test by 5 runs. Poor show by lower middle order of team Pakistan. But, that’s how they have always behaved in 4th innings.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) November 19, 2018
Congratulations @BLACKCAPS sensational fighting effort. #PakvNZ
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) November 19, 2018
What a Test match win for @BLACKCAPS !!!!!!!!!
— Luke Ronchi (@ronchi04) November 19, 2018
Fabulous game @BLACKCAPS Well done on hanging in there right through #PakvNZ Oh dear Pakistan !!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) November 19, 2018
Don’t you just love Pakistan Cricket .. so so unpredictable .. 130 for 3 needing a further 45 to win the Test & lose by 4 .. Test cricket is alive & kicking .. We have witnessed some great games over the last few months .. Pitches are the key ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 19, 2018
Not the first time Pakistan has lost chasing on the 4th/5th day – Remember Edgbaston,Hamilton,Melbourne,Barbados,last year tests,mental blocks in chasing on the last day,panicking under pressure situations..#PakvNZ
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) November 19, 2018
Great game of cricket. Test match cricket is a fascinating format. Congratulations New Zealand on a remarkable win! Well fought Pakistan, IA the team will bounce back from here.
Well done hassan ali and Yasir Shah, great bowling!— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 19, 2018
Winning the Test by 4 runs after conceding the first innings lead….and that too away from home. Oh New Zealand…you beauty. Test cricket you rock too 😊🙏 #PakvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 19, 2018
One of the best Test matches of this decade… What drama, intrigue, fun! Pakistan, without you cricket, wouldn't have been so thrilling & exhilarating! Congrats, Black Caps for holding the nerves… @BLACKCAPS #PAKvNZ
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) November 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Sdoull/status/1064466147737829376
Ajaz Patel is the Player of the Match on debut for his second innings figures of 5/59 👏👏
He helped New Zealand claim a thrilling four run victory over Pakistan.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/EPr5pP9hzS
— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2018
