Cricket: Black Caps need a miracle

Ahmed Shehzad will begin day two on 126. Photo / Getty Images

Pakistani century-maker Ahmed Shehzad summed up the opening day of the first test against New Zealand best: "It was a good toss to win".

A masterful understatement, given the pitch resembled a paving sample derived from a quarry.

At 269 for one with the prospect of batting second and fourth as the wicket deteriorates, New Zealand need a miracle to play for anything but a draw with Ahmed Shehzad (126) and Azhar Ali (46) set, and Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq to come.

Shehzad surmised the first day of a test is always best for batting in this part of the world with the lack of grass wickets.

"You normally don't see turn on the first day, which makes it more comfortable for batsmen."

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch will only crumble from here.

How would a miracle play out? New Zealand needs a comparable first innings total before placing themselves in the respective fingers and wrist of Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi.

The country's premier test tweakers produced credible efforts without any spoils.

Craig created the stumping chance of Shehzad on 16 and a catch from Azhar on 31 only for wicketkeeper B-J Watling to commit rare gaffes.

Sodhi released his stock ball smoothly and his googly remains hard to pick. He bamboozled Shehzad past the outside edge at one point and had Mohammad Hafeez prod a catch just in front of Ross Taylor at slip.

Taylor had a shop window view of proceedings and admitted the pair are key to New Zealand's progression.

"Ish deserved more than he got and Mark toiled hard without reward. I think it's a credit to the work they've done with [spin coach] Paul Wiseman. In Mark's case sub-continental players tend to play off spinners well, so to go at just over three-an-over [3.47] in your first test in these conditions gets him a pass mark."

Taylor said they assumed the wicket would be flat, but it's lower and slower than expectations.

"There were a few half chances we didn't take, but credit must go to the patience of Hafeez and Shehzad. They waited for the ball to be in the right areas. It could be another long day tomorrow.

"It's an easy-paced wicket and, even if you bowl in the right places, batsmen have time to adjust."

ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES