IND VS NZ: New Zealand Needs 107 Runs Despite The Sarfaraz-Pant Show
Once again, the dramatic collapse gives no chance to put up a big total on the board for India. Men in Blue started brilliantly in the second innings of the ongoing Test match after being bowled for 46 runs in the first innings. Earlier today, Sarfaraz and Pant kept India’s hopes of winning the Test alive with a solid partnership stand of 177 runs for the fourth-wicket. Sarfaraz Khan scored his maiden Test hundred after the first innings fuck, in which he struck 18 fours and three sixes. He was complemented well by his partner Rishabh Pant who missed his hundred by just a one run and departed at the individual score of 99. But before leaving the crease both of them helped to get the lead in the second innings.
The Blackcaps took three quick wickets to end a superb fourth-wicket stand of 177 runs between Pant and Sarfaraz. With the help of a second new ball, the Kiwis bowled out India for 462 in 99.3 overs and now they need 107 runs on the fifth day of the match to win this match.
The Sarfaraz-Pant stand
Sarfaraz Khan came to bat at No. 4 once again in the second innings of the opening match of the series and he successfully ended the last day on 70 not out but after the dismissal of Virat Kohli at the last ball of yesterday, the Indian wicket-keeper joined on the morning of day 4 after missing the yesterday’s play due to his injury. After scoring his maiden hundred, Sarfaraz converted it into 150 and a partnership of 177 with Rishabh Pant. Pant being Pant, started in his usual style and played a solid knock of 99 under pressure, he just missed out a well-deserved century.
India’s batting collapse started after Sarfaraz Khan decided to go after Tim Southee and was caught at cover. Pant and KL Rahul then departed just before tea.
There was no new story on batting collapse and lower-order batters failed to rescue this time. New Zealand quickly took all the wickets of tailenders and forced them to finish on 462.
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