Pakistan vs New Zealand 2018: Wanted to Get 10 Wickets in Match, Glad to Get it in Day - Yasir Shah

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah had dreamt of taking 10 wickets in a match. In fact, the leggie was able to take 10 wickets in a day. Thus, Yasir Shah became the first bowler to scalp 10 wickets in a day after India’s leg-spinner Anil Kumble took 10 wickets against Pakistan in Delhi. Shah was on fire against New Zealand as he scalped 8-41 in the first innings.

Consequently, the Kiwis were bundled out for only 90 runs in their first innings. In fact, the Blackcaps were 50-0, but Shah blew away the tourists batting line-up. The leg-spinner scalped seven wickets in just 23 balls to push the visitors behind the eight-ball.

Yasir Shah came up with his piece de resistance.

Shah was able to make the most of the conditions as he breathed down the neck of the New Zealand batsmen. The leg-spinner got the purchase from the surface and the Kiwis batsmen had no answers to the questions asked by Shah. Hence, it was a deadly spell from the Pakistan spinner as he obliterated the New Zealand batting innings.

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“When I was coming [to the ground] this morning I was thinking of getting 10 wickets in this match,” Yasir said. “I did not know I will be able to get them in a day. I was devising plans accordingly. Now, the focus is to bag wickets from the remaining end.”

Meanwhile, Yasir Shah bowling figures of 8-41 are the third best for a Pakistan bowler in Test cricket. Shah said he regained confidence after performing well against Australia.

“I was regaining rhythm in the series against Australia as I was coming back after an injury,” Yasir said. “You need time to get into the rhythm after injury. Though I bowled well, but I did not have my rhythm. So the focus was to get it back… You have to stay patient when you are not getting wickets and work on your weaknesses.”

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Pakistan has a good chance to level back the series as they have put their noses in front. New Zealand still trails by 159 runs after following on and have seven wickets in hand. The Kiwis had won the first Test match by four runs.