Cricket: Top-order flop gives Pakistan slim hope

Shane Bond of New Zealand is bowled by Mohammad Asif of Pakistan. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's bowlers would have been entitled to glare across the dressing room at the end of a depressing fourth day and grumble about another fine mess their batsmen had dropped them into.

Having done such a poor job of batting Pakistan out of the opening test at University Oval, the hosts will start the final day with a real chance of losing, which would turn most of the evidence of the first three days on its head.

Yet it is still an even bet, bearing in mind the worn nature of a final day pitch with variable bounce. New Zealand will start at 147 for eight, holding an overall lead of 244.

"I think anything over 250 is going to be a big ask for them, especially if we do everything in a disciplined manner and turn up prepared to win the game," seamer Chris Martin said last night.

"It's definitely there for us to take."

Powered by classy, aggressive fast bowling by teenager Mohammad Aamer, well supported by the clever seamer Mohammad Asif, Pakistan worked their way steadily through the New Zealand order yesterday, despite captain Mohammad Yousuf missing trick after trick in terms of putting the heat on the succession of batsmen who traipsed out to the middle.

It was as if he was waiting for New Zealand's batsmen to cock it up for him. In retrospect he might figure that was a pretty successful ploy, as the batsmen were quite good at that.

It had all begun happily enough, with the last two Pakistan wickets falling in 6.5 overs, Shane Bond completing a satisfying five-wicket haul on his return.

But from then on it went pear-shaped, and stayed that way for the rest of a truncated day.

Only Tim McIntosh, grimly defiant for 3h 20min over 31, and Ross Taylor's chancy, but breezy 59, and later Grant Elliott's stubborn if unconvincing 20 not out over 136 minutes, provided any substance.

Runs were got by contrasting means. McIntosh was solid but battled to collect runs. It took him 26 balls to get off the mark; his first authoritative shot came on the 39th with a cover driven four.

Taylor had a tough time from left armer Aamer and could have been caught twice at mid off and cover point.

But having past 50 for the second time in the match, and just as he seemed to be pushing New Zealand clear, the stand ended in a mid-wicket muddle, a "yes, no, err, ooh" moment leaving Taylor run out by a fine side on throw from Khurran Manzoor. From that point the innings hit the skids.

So lacking in self belief were New Zealand against some smart seam bowling from men with their tails up that just 28 runs were scored in 20.2 overs while four wickets fell.

Four ducks in the top seven tells its own story.

Pakistan's fielders dropped two chances - Vettori was put down by both second and third slips off one snick, in a "yours, no yours" moment, but slapped the next ball to mid wicket; while first slip Imran Farhat dropped Bond on four late in the day.

Farhat has form as a serial spiller of slips catches and on that criteria he's been in good touch in this test.

Pakistan's bowlers were persistent yesterday. New Zealand's will want to be penetrative today. Martin said they learnt plenty watching Aamer and Asif.

Just how much should be seen today.

UMPIRE STRIKES OUT THREE TIMES

West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove's head was probably spinning after a crazy hour of cricket technology at University Oval yesterday.

In that time he got three decisions wrong, one of which went against New Zealand, one of which was reversed against New Zealand, and one which turned into a giant cockup, by umpire and bowler Mohammad Asif.

New Zealand batsman Peter Fulton's lack of familiarity with the new rules was also shown up - either that or his lack of confidence to stand his ground and inquire. First up, Fulton, yet to score, got an inside edge to a ball from Umar Gul, and Doctrove raised his finger. Fulton lingered, looked at his bat and wandered off.

He got to the boundary edge, at which point New Zealand players clearly told him he should have appealed against Doctrove's decision. But it was far too late by then.

Soon after, Tim McIntosh was given not out by Doctrove on a loud lbw appeal by Asif. Pakistan sought a review and third official Rudi Koertzen advised that the batsman was out, according to the new technology in use for the series.

And to complete Doctrove's hat-trick, he gave Grant Elliott not out on another lbw appeal. He was plumb in front, Pakistan appealed for a review, but the replay showed the bowler, Asif, had overstepped the mark.

Doctrove had not noticed the no ball and the appeal was rejected.

Pakistan then questioned why they had lost one of their two unsuccessful appeals allowed per innings because Doctrove had not signalled no ball.

Had he done so, Pakistan clearly would not have appealed.

It all added up to a messy afternoon, not only for New Zealand's batsmen but for one of the men in the middle.