Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan says the improvement they showed in the second innings of the second test against Pakistan must continue into the third and deciding match.
Black Caps wicketkeeper/batsman BJ Watling reflects with disappointment after his dismissal. Photo: Yasir Nisar Photography/Photosport
New Zealand were skittled for just 90 in the first innings of their innings defeat in Dubai, losing all 10 wickets for just 40 runs after opening pair Jeet Raval and Tom Latham combined for a 50-run stand.
Although it wasn't enough to prevent Pakistan claiming victory by an innings and 16 runs, and levelling the series 1-all, the visitors performed much better with the bat in the second innings, posting 312.
Looking ahead to the third test, which starts in Abu Dhabi on Monday, McMillan said the expectations of his batsmen are clear.
"Your defence has to be so tight and we saw certainly some improvement in the second innings from the likes of Taylor, Nicholls and Latham, who batted a long period of time out there and showed what's possible.
"That didn't happen in the first innings and it would have been a very different test match had that happened.
"But the guys are learning. We need to learn a bit quicker and we need to get it right in the first innings of this third test."
The chief architect of the Black Caps batting woes in Dubai was leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
Shah took 14 of the 20 New Zealand wickets to fall, the equal-best match haul by a Pakistani bowler in test history.
Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan. Photo: Photosport
McMillan said Shah's control and execution was world class performance and reminded him of Australian great Shane Warne.
"The drop and drift that he was able to generate was as good as I've seen.
"That was one of the things that made Shane Warne so difficult to face was that drift and we saw that with a couple of the dismissals, that late drop and drift.
"It just takes the bat out of line. You have to take your hat off to him and say it was an exceptional bowling spell."
While the New Zealand still go into the third test with a chance of a rare series victory in the sub-continent, the disappointment of their second test performance has them motivated to bounce back.
McMillan said they will draw on fond memories of their thrilling first test victory at the same venue, when they orchestrated a spectacular Pakistan collapse to win by four runs.
"Yea it will be great going back to that ground because obviously we have some great memories from the last time we were there.
"We know Pakistan now have a bit of momentum so we're going to have to be up for it and at our best over the five days.
"But it's a nice ground, a ground we've won at before and I'm sure the guys will be looking forward to that."
