Pakistan v New Zealand 1964-65

At Karachi, April 9, 10, 11, 13, 14. Pakistan won by eight wickets and clinched the rubber by two victories to nil, the same margin as in 1955-56. This time, both teams were favoured at first with a docile batting pitch and Reid, winning the toss, took first innings. New Zealand made two changes, Motz replacing Collinge and Congdon coming in for Dowling who had a broken finger. Pakistan kept the same side for all three tests.

A cautious but invaluable innings by Reid was the highlight of the first day when the Pakistan bowlers did a grand job in taking seven wickets for 233. Next day, New Zealand added 52 in forty minutes. Reid batted four and a half hours for his 128 and hit three 6's and fifteen 4's. Pakistan began so sedately that they received the worst of the barracking though Saeed, 74 not out at the end of the day, played entertaining cricket. He went on to make his best score and he saved Pakistan from complete disaster after rain on the previous night, which caused a delay of eighty minutes, had changed the state of the pitch. Altogether, Saeed stayed five hours, forty minutes of his 172 which included one 6 and seventeen 4's. He and Burki put on 114 for the third wicket. Hanif declared with a lead of 22 and in the last hour New Zealand made five shaky runs for the loss of one wicket.

Another splendid knock by Reid who hit two 6's and seven 4's while gettting 76 in three and a quarter hours was the feature of the fourth day, but New Zealand lost nine wickets for 160 and the end seemed in sight. Thereupon, Congdon, ably assisted by the stone-walling Cameron added 63.

Pakistan, needing 202 to win in five and a half hours, were in no mood to lose time. Ilyas raced to his maiden century. At 97 he hit Morgan for four consecutive 4's and his excellent 126 came in just under three and a half hours, containing one 6 and fifteen 4's. His forceful batting delighted the large crowd and enabled Pakistan to get home thirty-five minutes before the tea interval. For New Zealand, Reid and Sinclair were the two outstanding figures of the tour.