After Pakistan were bowled out for 297 in their first innings, New Zealand trail the visitors by just 11 runs after the pair of Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls put on an unbeaten 215 runs for the fourth wicket.
Aakash Chopra made this observation in a video shared on his Facebook page while reviewing the second day’s play at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Aakash Chopra started by pointing out that New Zealand are in a dominating position in the Test, as their skipper Kane Williamson has slammed another century and looks good for more.
The reputed commentator said that the visitors have themselves to blame for the errors they committed on the field, with bowlers transgressing the front crease and fielders dropping catches. Aakash Chopra said in this regard:
Aakash Chopra observed that the match was almost evenly poised when Pakistan got Ross Taylor to reduce New Zealand to 71 for 3. That was after Tom Latham and Tom Blundell had given the hosts a stable start with an opening partnership of 52 runs.
“Pakistan have surrendered the advantage from a good position” - Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra highlighted that Henry Nicholls’ ‘dismissal’ off a Shaheen Afridi no-ball was the turning point of the day, saying in this regard:
Chopra observed that Nicholls’ wicket at that time would have put Williamson under pressure, and he could have succumbed as well. The Kiwi skipper was also given a few lives by the butter-fingered Pakistan fielders.
Chopra signed off by saying that Henry Nicholls was given another reprieve when Mohammad Rizwan put down a sitter to let the Kiwis off the hook.
New Zealand would have been in trouble at 74/4 had Shaheen Afridi not overstepped before Mohammad Rizwan grabbed a brilliant diving catch in front of first slip.
While Rizwan’s subsequent drop of Nicholls came late in the day, there were other missed chances by the Pakistan fielders that proved costly, with edges flying through the slip cordon and Shan Masood putting down Kane Williamson at gully.
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