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Imam steadies Pakistan after Ajaz, Henry lift NZ to 449
The hosts, however, still trail by 295 runs going into the third day
Stumps Pakistan 154 for 3 (Imam 74, Babar 24, Ajaz 1-30, Henry 1-35) trail New Zealand 449 (Conway 122, Latham 71, Henry 68, Blundell 51, Abrar 4-149) by 295 runs
A confident 74 from Imam-ul-Haq and a slow, yet solid 13 from Saud Shakeel ensured Pakistan made a steady resurgence in their innings after they briefly appeared to fall apart. The pair's unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 55 lifted Pakistan to 154 for 3, still 295 behind New Zealand's first-innings total of 449.
Pakistan had made a steady start in their response to 449, but the dismissals of Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, and then the run-out of Babar Azam made it appear like day two would completely belong to New Zealand. But that wasn't to be, with Imam and Shakeel ensuring Pakistan pulled things back, even though the visitors remained slightly ahead in the contest after two days of cricket.
All eyes in the final session were on Imam, who had turned down a third run to cause a mix-up with Babar and effect a third dismissal, but he continued his batting fluency from the first Test to hit nine fours and a six in his 125-ball innings. He struck four fours through the covers, using his feet to good effect against the ball turning away from Michael Bracewell, and also played in the region in front of square on the leg side, collecting 23 runs in that area.
Shakeel, at the other end, anchored himself for the most part, taking 42 balls to score his first run off the bat. Initially, he poked at the deliveries turning away from Bracewell in what appeared to be a tricky initiation into the innings, missing a few early on. His resistance came via his dead-batting ploy to see off the day, which he successfully did, playing 75 deliveries to make 13 in an innings that saw only one boundary in it.
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Before that, Both Shafique and Masood were out trying to play aggressively. Shafique, the right-hand opener, had struck four early boundaries to move to 19, but then tried pulling a rising short ball from Matt Henry while taking his eyes off the delivery. He ended up hitting the shot high, and to the only outfielder in the deep on the leg side.
Masood then produced a fluent beginning, hitting four fours in his first ten deliveries to race to 20. In fact, he had crunched three boundaries in a single Ajaz Patel over before trying to search for a fourth when he sliced a half-tracker to the fielder at point.
That had left Imam and Babar looking to start a Pakistan recovery after tea, but that partnership could never blossom, with the captain run out, on 24, for the sixth time in his Test career.
Earlier in the day, both Henry (68) and Ajaz (35) put on their highest individual Test scores while also becoming only the fourth pair in Test history to post a 100-plus partnership between a No. 10 and a No. 11. That lifted New Zealand from potentially folding for under 350 to eventually finishing at a run less than 450.
The two came together when New Zealand lost their ninth wicket with the score reading 345. However, Henry took on Abrar early with a four through midwicket before hammering Hasan Ali for four, four and six in consecutive deliveries. The umpires called for an extra thirty minutes of play in the first session with New Zealand nine down, but Henry and Ajaz batted right through that. Ajaz was more circumspect, freeing his arms on rare occasions in his 78-ball stay. He hit three fours and looked quite comfortable on the whole, especially against the short-pitched bowling that Pakistan tested him - unsuccessfully - with.
Henry reached his fifty before lunch, and the duo added a further 16 in the second session before they eventually folded for 449. The innings ended when Ajaz attempted to sweep an Abrar googly, only to get a top-edge for slip to gobble up.
Before their entertaining final-wicket stand, it was Tom Blundell who started off strongly for New Zealand after they resumed day two on 309 for 6. After Ish Sodhi fell for 11 early, Blundell, in Tim Southee's company, reached his ninth Test fifty. But Abrar dismissed Blundell for 51 and Southee for nine in quick succession before the Henry-Ajaz stand.
Naseem Shah was the most impressive of the bowlers from the first innings, finishing with 3 for 71 while having an economy of 2.95. While Abrar took a four-for, he conceded 149 and Salman, who barely bowled in the first Test, took 3 for 75.
Renegades snap four-match losing streak amid Zampa controversy
Zampa tried to run out Tom Rogers backing up at the non-striker's end, only for replays to show his bowling arm was past vertical
Melbourne Renegades 141 for 7 (Havey 32, Boult 2-32) beat Melbourne Stars 108 for 9 (Larkin 48, Rogers 5-16) by 33 runs
Fired-up quick Tom Rogers shrugged off an attempted run-out by Adam Zampa at the non-striker's end, to then take five wickets as Melbourne Renegades claimed the bragging rights over crosstown rivals Melbourne Stars in a fiery clash at the MCG
The 'Melbourne derby' descended into controversy when Zampa tried to run out non-striker Rogers in the last over of Renegades' innings. But it was given not out and Rogers then ripped through Stars' batting order as Renegades snapped a four-game losing streak.
A marquee fixture in the BBL, which famously attracted a crowd of over 80,000 in 2016, Renegades tasted victory for just the eighth time from 23 games against Stars in front of 38,500 fans.
Controversy at the MCG
Zampa bowled superbly to finish with 1 for 18 from four overs. He captained well marked by an aggressive approach against opposite number Aaron Finch, who fell second ball after Trent Boult returned to the attack in the 10th over.
But it was overshadowed by his attempt to run out Rogers at the non-striker's end in the final over. Frustrated after a missed catch earlier in the over, Zampa on the second last delivery tried to run out Rogers at the non-striker's end after the batter had left his crease early.
He quickly whipped off the bails and appealed for the wicket after there was initial confusion over whether Zampa was merely warning Rogers. But it was given not out after replays showed that Zampa's bowling arm was past vertical.
Rogers and Zampa exchanged words, although the batter was laughing as he walked off the ground at the end of the innings. Some fans did not share Rogers' sentiments as jeering rang around the MCG and Zampa ensured another night of endless debate ensued.
On the broadcast, Stars coach David Hussey said Zampa would have withdrawn his appeal if it had been given out and that "it's not the right way to play cricket".
Rogers has the last laugh
Rogers was clearly pumped-up when he opened the bowling. With his first legal delivery, Rogers bowled in-form Joe Clarke with a cracker then dismissed Beau Webster caught and bowled.
Conjuring menacing movement, he was almost unplayable and claimed his third wicket by bowling his namesake Tom Rogers to leave Stars reeling at 12 for 3 in the third over.
He returned in the 11th over to snare Hilton Cartwright, who had started a rescue job alongside Nick Larkin, and then removed Luke Wood to finish with 5 for 16 in the best figures in Renegades' history.
Stoinis might need to move up the order
Still chasing an elusive title, Stars are headed for familiar disappointment at a record of 2-5 and stuck near the bottom of the ladder.
Stars' only win in their last five games was against Adelaide Strikers when Marcus Stoinis smashed 74 off 35 balls in his first knock of substance this season, which was initially derailed after he contracted Covid-19.
With skipper Glenn Maxwell still on the sidelines, a lot of burden has fallen on Stoinis who could not deliver on this occasion as he fell for six. Chasing a supposed modest total, Stars crashed to 18 for 4 and they never recovered.
Having batted at No.4 or No.5 this season, similarly to his middle-order role with Australia, Stoinis might need to move back to the top of the order - where he had enjoyed success over the years for Stars.
Marsh injured again
Heading into the BBL, Shaun Marsh hadn't played at any level since captaining Western Australia to a drought-breaking Sheffield Shield triumph last season.
After knee surgery in the off-season, Marsh suffered a setback in his recovery with a calf injury in October. There were fears over whether Marsh, who turns 40 in July, had played his last professional match but he overcame his woes to return last week against Sydney Sixers.
Mustering his wealth of experience, Marsh looked good in two previous games without converting strong starts. Against Stars, Marsh again played himself in amid a sedate partnership with an out-of form Martin Guptill.
But Marsh's woes resurfaced when he suffered a leg injury and was clearly hobbled. He decided to throw the bat, quite literally too, with his bat flying metres into the air after an attempt at a big hit.
With Marsh struggling to run between the wickets, Renegades took the power surge in the 12th over. It didn't provide a tonic for Marsh, who fell for 32 off 35 balls and he trudged off amid fresh uncertainty over his future.
It's another injury blow for Renegades with regular skipper Nic Maddinson sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
82.939 SRY