Web Designer & Developer Ahmed's Musings

Shehzad: “Very confident now that I have a 100 before the World Cup, and thrilled to have a century before getting a fifty.”

Afridi: ” We have won after a long time, and it is good coming before the World Cup. What a talent Shehzad is! All the fast bowlers did well.”

Taylor: “Shehzad showed us how it is done by getting three figures. Martin and myself got going, but should have made it count.”

Afridi: “Credit to the bowlers, keeping things quiet with the new ball on this great batting track. The way Misbah and Younis took on the responsibility in the middle overs was crucial. Great knock from Misbah.”

Vettori: “We were 40 short on a very good deck … Lack of resources, lack of runs. I am struggling with the hamstring, will take a look at it again and take a call. Franklin continued his fine form.”

“Things have worked well for me in recent times. The wicket was really good today, I enjoyed batting here. We have a good vibe leading to the World Cup.” Misbah-ul-Haq said

The team played really well and fought hard, in this Test everybody did their role and we saw the series as more important than this Test. Misbah said

We really enjoyed this Test, a great ground and a good pitch. We couldn’t quite play catch-up in this Test and that is because Pakistan were on top after Hamilton. Vettori said

“It’s a really good win for us, We haven’t won a Test series for five to six years so we want to go to Wellington and do even better. Everyone took responsibility and our lower order showed they can bat well. Wahab [Riaz] and [Abdur] Rehman bowled really fantastic lines.” said captain Misbah

“I think we fought pretty hard this morning to give ourselves a chance to come back into the game… but then to let it all slip with a familiar batting performance in the third innings, it just leaves a really sour taste.” New Zealand captain Vettori

“We are very proud of our efforts. Cricket is the biggest form of entertainment in Pakistan and we hope it returns to the country one day. The support here in the UAE was great, and I thank the people for it.” Shahid Afridi is the Man of the Series.

“My tour wasn’t going too well, and my captain asked me to play responsibly.Once Afridi came in to bat and we got a partnership going, the pressure eased off.” Umer Akmal

“The team showed great spirit and overcame the setbacks despite the injuries. We bowled pretty well, I thought 150 was a par score. It’s fantastic to play in and tour this country.” McCullum

“I thought we let the momentum slip after the first few overs. I thought I got away to a decent start but hit one straight to the fielder. I’m sure we will bounce back tomorrow.” McCullum

“There was pressure, after losing the last two ODIs. I thought the guys did a great job. I thought our score was enough. I’m very happy with the support we’ve got.” Afridi

Imran Nazir named Man of the Match

” The partnership between Guptill and McCullum was key. The fielding can make such a difference to how the bowlers feel. It was fantastic how McCullum played.” Vettori

“McCullum and Guptill had a good partnership. We lost couple of quick wickets. First Afridi and then Kamran .. and then we collapsed. They were  fantastic in the field and we have to improve our fielding.” Younis

“I got a start and it was a pretty good surface. It’s amazing turn around for us. We have two quality teams here; if one teams plays good quality cricket as we did today and as Pakistan did the other day, the margin can be like this.” McCullum

“The guys played very well. Guys like Khalid Latif, Kamran Akmal and Razzaq. Younis gave me good confidence; he just told me to go and bat without any worries.” Afridi

“ It started well for us but we lost the momentum. Afridi came in late and then Akmal turned the momentum. we couldn’t get a partnership going. Now we have seen what the pitch is like,  hopefully we can get it right for the next two games.” Vettori

“ It was a good effort from Khalid Latif,  Afridi’s innings was the turning point. He was fantastic. Then Kamran Akmal played a fantastic innings. (On his own form) It’s not always possible to score runs, hopefully I will come back.” Younis