PAKISTAN v. NEW ZEALAND

At Dacca, November 8, 9, 10, 11. Drawn. Only a courageous ninth-wicket stand between Burgess and Cunis saved New Zealand, and gave them their first victory in a Test rubber. The Dacca pitch, made of pounded mud, did not turn as much as those at Lahore and Karachi, but the ball often kept very low. Turner, back in the Test side, batted faultlessly in difficult conditions to make his first Test century. He was at the crease seven hours twenty-five minutes and hit seven 4's. Burgess again batted well, but the others did little and the New Zealand innings dragged on for nearly nine hours. Intikhab gave a fine display of accurate spin bowling.

Pakistan were also very slow until Asif Iqbal arrived. He batted brilliantly for two and a half hours, while hitting 92. At 23, Asif was, apparently, bowled by Howarth but the bowler's umpire was unsighted and the square-leg umpire declined to give a decision. New Zealand were thus headed on the first innings for the first time in six matches, but when Intikhab declared it was mid-afternoon on the third day and a result did not seem likely. Intikhab and Pervez, however, spun out four somewhat nervous batsmen and when Turner went next morning, at 70, followed by three more wickets, New Zealand stood at 101 for eight, only 84 ahead, and four and three-quarter hours remained for play. Burgess, who looked fallible at first, settled down with Cunis and gave a magnificent display. Cunis was determined in defence and they stayed together for over two hours, adding 96 runs. Burgess, in making his first Test century, batted four and a quarter hours and hit twelve 4's. Pakistan had two hours twenty minutes to score 184 but Cunis completed a memorable performance by taking four quick wickets and Pakistan had to defend. An hour before the scheduled close, the crowd swarmed on to the ground to end the match. A little later, rain fell, so making the demonstration absolutely absurd.