Misbah pleased with Sarfraz, Yasir form

Misbah-ul-Haq

The second encounter of their three-match series ended in a draw on Friday as Pakistan recovered from 75-4 on the final day in Dubai to close on 196-5 and deny New Zealand, who had set a target of 261.

Yasir claimed the first five-wicket haul of his career in New Zealand's second innings, returning 5-79 before Brendon McCullum declared at 250-9.

Sarfraz, a centurion in Pakistan's first dig, then helped secure a draw by sharing an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 47 with Asad Shafiq.

Ahead of the final Test in Sharjah, with Pakistan 1-0 up in the series, Misbah feels the pair can continue to play key roles for their country.

"We could have done better," he said.

"We were planning to chase it [the target] down, bat normally until 40-45 overs and then promote Sarfraz but we lost quick wickets in the middle.

"Sarfraz is in the form of life, his confidence is increasing by the day. The way he played, you could never say that it was a difficult pitch.

"He could give more winning chances in the future. It's just the second series [for Yasir] and it's good for us that he is improving.

"Full marks to New Zealand. They really improved after the first game. They put us under pressure with the bowling."

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