Saqlain hits maiden century

CHRISTCHURCH, MARCH 19. Saqlain Mushtaq hit the fourth slowest century by a Pakistan batsman on Monday as the second cricket Test petered into a dull draw at Lancaster Park.

After Pakistan closed its first innings on 571 for eight declared, New Zealand, trailing by 95 runs, scored 196 for one in its second innings before the two captains decided to call an early close to the match.

Pakistan will go into the third and final Test at Hamilton with a 1-0 lead following its crushing 299-run victory in the series opener in Auckland.

There was no hope of a result on this unresponsive portable pitch in Christchurch after Pakistan ground out the New Zealand attack for 210 overs over 12 hours in its first innings to post its second highest total ever against the home side.

This was the first draw between the two nations in 12 Tests since the third Test in Auckland in the 1988-89 series when Pakistan posted its highest total in head-to-head, 616 for five declared.

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Section  : Sport
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