Youhana, Saqlain torment New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH, MARCH 18. New Zealand's Mark Richardson finally ended Yousuf Youhana's marathon innings on Sunday but not before the Pakistan batsman had scored 203 on the fourth day of the second Test in Christchurch.

Youhana had batted for 429 minutes and faced 528 balls as he and Saqlain Mushtaq, who finished on 98 not out, helped take Pakistan to 561 for seven. New Zealand scored 476 in its first innings.

The seventh wicket partnership between the two Pakistan batsmen was worth 248 and Richardson was the last gamble for beleaguered New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming.

He had tried all the possible permutations with his bowling attack, constantly changing their ends in the hope of unsettling the Pakistan batsman.

But it did not work until Richardson came in and caught and bowled Youhana in his sixth over of the day and followed this up with a sprinting lap of honour.

Saqlain is just two short of his maiden test hundred although he will have a chance to complete the century on Monday as Pakistan skipper Moin Khan has made it clear his team will bat on and then attempt to bowl New Zealand out.

The real Villan in the day has been the lifeless portable wicket on Lancaster Park which has seldom challenged batsmen.

New Zealand's bowling attack, already depleted when Chris Drum was forced out hurt, looked weaker when Craig McMillan had problems through the day with his insulin levels. The lack of variety in the attack was exposed - particularly when part-timer Richardson actually got the only wicket of the day. With only a day remaining and not even the first innings complete, a draw is looking the most likely outcome.

- AFP & Reuters

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Section  : Sport
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