Pakistan collapse caused by will to win, says Azhar Ali

Pakistan's stand-in skipper Azhar Ali felt the remarkable collapse in the second Test with New Zealand was brought on by his side's desire to win the match and level the series.

Azhar Ali put on 138 runs for the first wicket alongside Sami Aslam, but his departure facilitated a collapse.

Pakistan's stand-in skipper Azhar Ali felt the remarkable collapse in the second Test with New Zealand was brought on by his side's desire to win the match and level the series.

> Report: NZ wins by 138 runs, takes series 2-0

Chasing 369 for victory, Sami Aslam (91) and Azhar Ali (58) had put on 131 for the opening wicket, but the next nine fell for just 99 runs in the final session of the Test at Seddon Park. After its attempt at earning an improbable victory caved in, Ali said there was no chance his players would have settled for a draw in consolation, given that result would also have seen them surrender the two-match series.

He said afterwards: "We knew the target was a big one. We had a [good opening] partnership, but we couldn't last the last few overs. We wanted to win the game, but we did not want to end this way. When you're 1-0 down, you will have to force the game. 

"We lost quick wickets against the new ball. The conditions were not as difficult as it looks. I know there was grass in the first innings, but after that it was a good batting pitch. We will take a lot out of this tour. And we will have to lift our game in Australia. I enjoyed captaincy, but things did not go according to the plan."

To rub further salt in Ali's wounds, he was fined 100 per cent of his match fee for a slow over-rate. A similar offence in the first Test had resulted in a one-match ban for regular captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

'Credit to bowlers'

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson hailed his bowler's patience on Tuesday and spoke glowingly of the batting efforts of Tom Latham (80) and Ross Taylor (102) in New Zealand's second innings of 313 for 5 declared.

"If we go back to the start of the Test, getting to 270 [sic, 271], after losing the toss, was important," he said. "A lot of credit needs to go to Pakistan for the way they batted. Up until the last session, they were in for the win. They batted for a long period of time, and they looked comfortable. 

"When the run-rate goes up, the pressure rises, though. The credit goes to the bowlers for being nice and patient. The way [Tom] Latham played and set up the innings was excellent. To see Ross [Taylor] at his best was awesome…"