Cricket: NZ bowlers anxious

Asad Shafiq of Pakistan bats. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand bowlers cast furtive glances at captain Brendon McCullum as Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq shaped to toss the coin before the third cricket test.

They had every right to be anxious. They were practising their bowling on an adjacent pitch and the batsman-friendly sheen of the test wicket would've been blinding in the sun.

Down went the coin, McCullum lost, and up went Pakistan's chances of dominating this test in benign batting conditions.

Pakistan openers Shan Masood and the returning Mohammad Hafeez provided evidence in the opening session. The time they had to play deliveries brought to mind the 'bullet time' scene in The Matrix. Still, a solitary batting glitch can be costly, as Masood discovered when he failed to cover a Mark Craig delivery from around the wicket on 12 with the score 44 for one.

However, Pakistan were largely disciplined, playing with straight bats and high elbows.

Azhar Ali took over from Masood and made his way to 20 while Hafeez was unbeaten on 47. At lunch Pakistan had reached 82 for one.

They had a couple of other awkward moments. Trent Boult got one ball to bounce and almost loop off Hafeez onto the stumps; Daniel Vettori, in his record 112th test and first over in the format for 28 months, had a shout against Masood.

The Pakistanis showed Vettori respect for the most part although Hafeez demonstrated some healthy cheek when he lofted a pull shot for six over mid-wicket. It was a warning that Vettori's authority is fair game for questioning. Curiously, the former captain must have couriered his original test cap over asap or he's become accustomed to packing it as a talisman in his suitcase, just in case.

Generally the pace bowlers must have felt like they were bowling into a stack of cushions, albeit firm ones, given the lack of carry. Bending their backs translated to expending more energy which would likely account for tired bodies at stumps. However, a steady breeze in the stadium will have helped wick away sweat.

The New Zealanders' enthusiasm was not deterred by what shapes as a relentless slog over five days. The inclination to drop the shoulders, chins and spirits would have been tempting but chatter was sustained in the field, helped by McCullum's attacking fields. What's he got to lose? New Zealand are 1-0 down in the series and must do something to spark momentum. Woe betide any player who drops a catch.

You can't begrudge Pakistan, who are playing to their strengths. The 50:50 nature of the toss means they back themselves to bat long and dominate if they win, fight long if they lose, and otherwise figure their spinners will keep opposition batsmen wary enough to negotiate a draw.

ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES