LONDON:
Yasir Shah said that he was shocked to have taken 10 wickets in a day as Pakistan took a stranglehold on the second Test against New Zealand.
The hosts were already in a dominant position heading into day three with their batsmen putting on 418 for five declared.
But once the teams made it out to the middle after a rare rain delay in the UAE, Yasir weaved his magic, taking eight for 41 as the Black Caps were bowled out for 90.
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed enforced the follow-on and his star spinner took another two scalps as the tourists showed some fight to end the day on 131 for two.
There was little doubting who the day belonged to as Yasir claimed his best Test figures — the third best by a Pakistani — and became the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets in the UAE.
The 32-year-old has long been viewed as the best leg spinner in the world, but even he admitted to being surprised that he took 10 wickets on an eventful day in Dubai.
“When I was coming to the ground I was thinking that I must get ten wickets in the match, but never thought it (would) come in a single day,” Yasir said.
“I came from injury and didn’t get the needed rhythm against Australia (last month) but now I am getting it and very happy to achieve this feat.”
Even though the pitch was turning from the first ball, New Zealand looked comfortable at 50 without loss. But then Yasir wreaked havoc as Kane Williamson’s side crumbled, losing all 10 wickets for just 40 runs.
Yasir dismissed Tom Latham (22), Ross Taylor (nought) and Henry Nicholls (nought) in his ninth over, and from that moment Pakistan sniffed the possibility of a huge first-innings lead.
It was Yasir who ran Bradley-John Watling out soon after lunch for one before dismissing Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel and Trent Boult — all without scoring in the space of nine balls.
Six Kiwi batsmen fell without scoring, making it the fifth occasion in a Test when six batsmen failed to score in an innings.
At stumps New Zealand were 131 for two following on, and once again it was Yasir who did the damage, taking both wickets. New Zealand needing another 197 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Pakistan can level the series by taking another eight wickets with two days to play.
