Pakistan vs. New Zealand: Winners and Losers from 1st Test
Another week, and another crushing win for Pakistan, hammering New Zealand by 248 runs to go 1-0 up in this three-game series.
The nature of the thorough dismantling suggests Misbah-ul-Haq's men's preceding series win over Australia was far from a fluke, and it is hard to see how the Black Caps can bounce back in Dubai.
Here are the three winners and the three losers based on their individual performances at Abu Dhabi.
Winner: Ahmed Shehzad
1 of 6
Runs: 176, DNB
It was a bittersweet game for Ahmed Shehzad, who registered his highest ever Test score of 176 with a superb display in the first innings that helped Pakistan take control of this game.
Sadly, the 22-year-old also suffered a minor fractured skull when he was hit by a Corey Anderson bouncer, the blow forcing the batsman to drop his blade into the stumps.
Shehzad played no further part in the game but was spotted back at the ground later on the day of the incident. The career-best haul will ease the pain, too.
Loser: Ish Sodhi
2 of 6
Wickets: 1/162, 2/66
The New Zealand selectors took something of a punt by picking Ish Sodhi for the Black Caps, and it is fair to say that the gamble has yet to pay off.
In fact, this Test has to rank as one of the spinner's worst games, as he claimed just one scalp from 43 expensive overs in the first innings and two wickets in the second innings.
A first-class bowling average of over 46 appears to be the correct level for Sodhi. Despite being a big turner of the ball, he seems to lack the control required against the world's best.
Winner: Younis Khan
3 of 6
Runs: 100*, 28
To say Younis Khan is in form is something of an understatement. Over his six innings, the 36-year-old has chalked up a colossal 596 runs at an average of 149.
In fact, his last five Tests have produced five tons, taking his career tally to 28 in just 94 games. What makes the numbers even more remarkable is that he's scored more centuries than half-centuries!
Although Mohammad Hafeez also put plenty of runs on the board in this game, Khan gets the nod for his incredible hot streak.
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Loser: Ross Taylor
4 of 6
Total runs: 0, 8
New Zealand's Ross Taylor had a game to forget, registering a six-ball duck in the first innings and managing to score just eight in the second.
Facing an uphill battle from such an early stage of the game, the Black Caps needed one of their most experienced players to step up, but he looked hopelessly out of groove and fell to spin twice.
Maybe the 30-year-old's rustiness shouldn't be too much of a surprise considering his last first-class game was nearly five months ago in June.
Winner: Rahat Ali
5 of 6
Wickets: 4/22, 2/48
Since making his Test debut in 2013, Rahat Ali has shown flashes of his undoubted ability. However, in the first innings at Abu Dhabi, he proved he belongs at this level.
On an ultra-flat deck, the left-armer bowled with pace and control to take four for 22 off 17 miserly first-innings overs—a haul that included Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson.
Two more in the final innings earned the speedster the man-of-the-match award. The next question is whether the 26-year-old can maintain that consistency over the rest of this series and beyond?
Loser: James Neesham
6 of 6
Runs: 11, 0
Wickets: 0/50
One of New Zealand's bright young things, Jimmy Neesham came into this Test with an average of 64 from eight innings at the highest level.
The 24-year-old was brought back down to earth with scores of 11 and a duck, while his 16 overs yielded little reward either.
Of course, the all-rounder won't have faced high-quality spin like this too often before, and the chastening experience can only help.
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