SHARJAH // If New Zealand needed reminding of how tough playing Pakistan in the UAE is, their tour officially opened as their hosts were putting the finishing touches to their thrashing of Australia.
While Misbah-ul-Haq and his unheralded heroes were racing to a 356-run win in Abu Dhabi, New Zealand simultaneously were taking on an A team who also claimed victory against Australia recently.
Unlike their Pacific region neighbours, the New Zealanders acquitted themselves well on their opening day at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
They ended Day 1 of three with nine wickets, for the concession of 215 runs.
Bigger challenges are obviously yet to come, but Brendon McCullum’s side should take optimism from this. On first impressions, Ish Sodhi, the Indian-born leg-spinner, appeared more of a threat than any of the Australian slow bowlers managed here.
He took four wickets, including the top scorer of the innings, Shan Masood, who made 67.
Tim Southee, the pace bowler, was also on a hat-trick in the penultimate over of the day.
“It has obviously been a really interesting series, the Aussies versus Pakistan and I saw that the A-side even did well against them earlier in the month,” Sodhi said. “For us to come here and have a really good day against the Pakistan A side is really credit to the work the boys have been putting in.
“It is new conditions for us to get used to, but that is all part of the learning process.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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