The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Rain has the final say in Napier

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Rain has the final say in Napier

Napier: Rain robbed the final Test in the three-match series of a grandstand finish as New Zealand was left stranded at 90 for no loss in its chase of 208, with 22 overs still left in the day. The draw meant that the series ended in a stalemate with Pakistan and New Zealand claiming a win apiece.

Pakistan started the day with Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq and the batsmen looked to keep the Kiwis at bay for as long as possible. Misbah blocked over after over and even the attack-minded Umar buckled down as the pair ate up precious time.

By the time Daniel Vettori dragged Misbah out of his crease to have him stumped, the batsman had made just seven off 65 balls.

Umar departed mid-way into the first session after making 77, his third 50 in as many matches, apart from the century on debut.

Mohammed Aamer continued to stymie the bowling, consuming 53 balls for his seven before slogging Vettori straight down deep midwicket’s throat on the stroke of lunch.

Kamran floored the accelerator even as wickets fell at the other end, with O’Brien picking up Umar Gul — his last international wicket — for a duck. The wicketkeeper-batsman remained unbeaten on 56 as Guptill returned to bowl Pakistan out for 455, 12 overs before tea. The off-spinner was the most successful of the bowlers, finishing with three for 37.

Bradley Watling made a quickfire 60 off 62 balls as New Zealand made 90 for no loss in 19 overs before the skies opened up a little after tea, putting paid to any hopes of a Kiwi win. Daniel Vettori was announced Man-of-the-match for his first innings century.

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