Pakistan and New Zealand played their Second Test Match in Wellington from January 15 to 19, 2011 at the Basin Reserve Stadium in Wellington.
After its First Test win in Hamilton, Pakistan decided to retain the same 11 players, while New Zealand replaced Tim McIntosh with James Franklin.
New Zealand scored 356 runs, with Daniel Vittori making a gallant century, followed by Ross Taylor (78), Reece Young (57).
Umar Gul was the most successful bowler for Pakistan, picking up four wickets for 87 runs, while Tanvir Ahmed captured three wickets, giving away 93 runs.
Pakistan responded with determination, scoring 376 runs, with four batsmen crossing the half-century mark. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unlucky to miss his century by just one run. Among the other high scorers were Younis Khan (73), Taufeeq Umar (70) and Azhar Ali (67).
Martin Guptill was the pick of the bowlers for Black Caps, with a tally of four wickets for 91 runs, while Vittori was not far behind; he also took four wickets, giving away 100 runs. At the end of the first innings, Pakistan appeared confident, although with a negligible lead of 20 runs.
The Black Caps played the second innings with determination, scoring 293 runs. Guptill (73), Brendon McCullum (64) and Taylor (52) were aggressive.
The New Zealand side was well placed at one stage, when the scoreboard read 191 runs for the loss of three wickets but Gul became aggressive in his attacks. Using an old ball, he used his old skill of reverse swing. He added four wickets to his kill, delighting cricket fans.
The Black Caps were bowled out for 293, obliging Pakistan to score 274 runs for a win in the Second Test.
But disaster struck the team early as opener Taufeeq was out for zero. A short time thereafter, Pakistan had lost three wickets, gaining just 42 runs. With the loss of another price wicket in Azhar, the game was wide open for the Black Caps.
Younis and Misbah forged ahead well, with the former displaying excellent footwork and the latter playing inside line. Younis was gone by teatime, scoring 81 runs. Pakistan played for a draw.
One-Day series
The Pakistani players looked off colour and rusty at the start of One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand fast bowlers. The five-match series were interesting in parts.
After a stunning loss (by 9 wickets) to New Zealand at the first ODI held in Wellington on January 22 and drawing the match (there was no result) in Queenstown on January 26, Pakistan recorded a convincing victory in Christchurch (43 runs) on January 29, Napier (two wickets) on February 1 and Hamilton (41 runs) on February 3.
Twenty20 Matches
New Zealand was better off in the Twenty20 matches, winning first at Eden Park, Auckland (five wickets) on December 26 and again in Hamilton (57 runs) on December 28. Pakistan was clearly ahead at the third and final Twenty20 in Christchurch (December 30) when the team vanquished New Zealand with a lead of 104 runs.
The visiting Pakistan team was good combination of senior players and upcoming juniors but the main problem was their level of fitness.
Shoab Akhtar, once most fared bowler, is underperforming, while Sohail Tanvir, another stylish bowler, showed stress and lack of concentration.
Pakistan has to find a bowler to attack at the deck.
On the other hand, the New Zealand Team is fit and the players are hard working.
But their handicap is absence of quality bowling and consistency of batsmen.
We will now watch with bated breath the World Cup series beginning in Dhaka on February 19, with India playing against Bangladesh.
