After a one-sided first Test in Abu Dhabi, the second Test in Dubai is shaping up to be quite a thriller. At the end of an absorbing day of cricket, the third day of the Test, Pakistan were 281/6, still trailing New Zealand's first innings total by 122 runs.
Speaking to the press at the conclusion of the day's play, Pakistan's batting coach, Grant Flower, wasn't willing to write off any team's chances. "It is going to be tough cricket for both the sides. They [New Zealand] having won the toss are in the driving seat. It is a different kind of pressure for our guys, but we have been in such situations before and we definitely have got the skills. It is going to be a huge challenge but hopefully we have got the character and the skills to get us through," Flower said.
On a day of attrition, Pakistan batted on the side of caution, something that was defended by Flower. "It was very hard work as it was a slow and turning wicket. The Kiwis were very disciplined and bowled really well and were backed up by some great fielding. Which is what we expected but we are still in the game," he said.
"It wasn't our game plan (of batting slowly). It worked for us against Australia and against the Kiwis in the first Test. The wickets here are not made for flamboyant cricket, so you do have to be patient and get through the new ball and then work your way through the spinners and get used to the conditions," Flower added.
Flower's coaching has come in for high praise, especially with Pakistan batsmen making it a habit to score centuries at will, particularly in the Australian series and the first Test at Abu Dhabi. The former Zimbabwe batsman expects the batsmen to remain patient on this track. "You have to be patient and disciplined, just like the bowlers. It is tough cricket but the wicket is not unplayable by any means. Our batsmen had gone on to get big scores; but today I think the guys played some very good cricket, though at the end of the day some big hundreds would have been good," he noted.
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