NEW ZEALAND v PAKISTAN 1984-85

At Wellington, January 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Drawn. Suggestions that the Basin Reserve pitch would play into the hands of the Pakistan spinners proved unfounded. There was plenty of turn, but it was very slow.

New Zealand, who won the toss, were vulnerable at 138 for four, but Reid, showing good footwork, held firm control, and his later partners made comparative merry. Elegant on the drive and safe in defence, Reid batted 572 minutes for his 148, facing 427 balls and hitting fifteen 4s. With Hadlee he set a New Zealand sixth-wicket record against Pakistan of 145. New Zealand batted briefly into the third morning, reaching their highest total against Pakistan. Azeem Hafeez, who took half the wickets, showed commendable resolution and control.

Mohsin Khan, strong off his pads, had the lion's share of an opening stand of 62 for Pakistan before Boock initiated a minor collapse. Although Miandad then helped the assertive Salim Malik add 59, by the end of the day Pakistan were reeling at 236 for seven, still needing 56 to avoid the follow-on. It was not a happy day for the tourists. Shoaib Mohammad, playing his only innings on a nine-match tour, was unluckily run out, and Mudassar crashed a ball into the shins of Cairns at silly-point, from where it rebounded to be caught by the bowler.

But on the fourth morning it was all Pakistan. Abdul Qadir, 23 on the previous evening, reached his highest Test score, and obstinate stands with Anil Dalpat and Iqbal Qasim were stretched by rain stoppages so that New Zealand, with a lead of 170, were not batting again until an hour after lunch on the fourth day. Then, having taken 19 from the first two overs, they managed only 31 from the next nineteen, because of some very accurate left-arm slow bowling by Iqbal Qasim. Heavy rain overnight and more next morning caused the match to be abandoned at 11.45am on the last day.