Sodhi, Southee rattle Pakistan A

Fast bowler Tim Southee and legspinner Ish Sodhi took seven wickets between them to trip up Pakistan A on the first day of the tour match in Sharjah.

All of the specialist New Zealand bowlers had a substantial workout, with Southee's 14 overs being the least of the lot. Offspinner Mark Craig bowled 26, Sodhi bowled 20.3, and fast bowler Boult bowled 16 overs.

Opener Shan Masood top-scored for Pakistan A with 67 but the innings suffered from a lack of partnerships - Masood's 61-run stand with Adil Amin for the fourth wicket was the highest. Craig and Boult also picked up a wicket each.

"I think picking up four wickets is always nice, but a lot of it was on the back of pressure created at the other end from Mark Craig and Tim Southee," Sodhi said after the game. "I was lucky to get my wickets. It's nice having spinners that take wickets in different ways. When it comes to the Tests, it's about having two people (spinners) capable of doing the task.

"A lot of times, you think the subcontinent is going to have a lot of burners and rag sideways. Most of the time that's not the case. I think the wickets are a lot slower back home. The odd one might turn, but the batsmen are up to the task, so I think it balances out."