The 2nd test of the National Bank series between Pakistan and New Zealand at Christchurch, which the two sides wished to be decisive - Pakistan to clinch the series and New Zealand to achieve a timely equalizer - ended in a tame draw. When the match ended the two sides had contributed 1243 runs in exchange for 19 wickets, with only 3 falling in the last two days.

When wickets do not fall at regular intervals or to our heart's desire, we call it dull and dreary cricket. But a match which ends up with 2 exciting double tons, 2 thrilling centuries and 4 valuable half centuries scored with the help of 153 hits to the boundary and 10 over the fence, making and breaking some records in the process, should not be classified so. Then a number of players who jumped from the class of "twinkle, twinkle little star" to join the galaxy of super stars made the clash a memorable one.

It is imperative that the cricket lovers show their spirit and love of the game to fully enjoy such encounters. Surprisingly the number of spectators at the stadium on all five days of the game was not more than a few hundred. The reason may possibly have to do with the topsy-turvy ratio between population of the city and the dose of cricket fed to the people, something for the local administrators to ponder. It was, however, great to see the batsmen hoist their tons without much inspiration from the galleries. A proposed solution to counter such situations, anywhere in the world, could be to declare the gates open and rely on other sources of income?

At least half a dozen bowlers conceded more than a hundred runs each. If the batsmen made mince meat of the bowlers like giants crushing pygmies, the bowlers should not be blamed. The portable pitch proved to be a batsman's paradise, playing hell with the bowlers. In Pakistan the media and the authorities have recently criticised the curator for trying to prepare 'spin wickets' that did not spin! We hear that the PCB is calling for a foreign curator for the job. How New Zealand authorities deal with the matter, let us leave to them.

Coming down to the match itself, Pakistan supposed to have come under pressure after the Black Caps piled up an impressive total of 476 in the 1st innings, came out of it with grace, replying with a mammoth 571 for 8. Inzamam-ul-Haq, who missed the 1st Test on account of injury, came out with flying colors by scoring a brilliant 130, making the most of an early dropped chance. This was followed by a sparkling double ton (203) by Yousuf Youhana, his 5th century in 8 tests and highest score of his career. It was a chanceless innings of attacking strokes in which he punished all bowlers and showing no mercy to the spinners.

At the other end with Youhana, was off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, wielding the willow like a master craftsman. Saqlain whose highest score in a previous Test was 79, went on to amass a fabulous 98 not out before the game ended on the 4th day with Pakistan's total at 561 for 7.

Normally, leaving a century incomplete at the tail end of a day's play is considered dangerous. Surprisingly, although Saqlain got many chances to score the required two runs on the 4th day but he did not avail them. More amazing was the fact that Waqar Younis, his partner at the crease, faced the last two overs of the evening. Though suspense about his impending century may have caused a sleepless night to his fans, Saqlain was not in any panic. He achieved the distinguished landmark of his 1st Test century (101 not out) with aplomb early next morning, not showing the slightest touch of haste. From 99, he played 17 more balls to jump to his hundred. He had foiled, with immense confidence, the New Zealand bowlers' onslaught for 430 minutes. This gigantic innings has elevated Saqlain to be counted amongst the most distinguished tail-enders in the game. Pakistan declared the innings closed at 571 for 8.

The pitch still remained batting friendly, although the 1st innings of the match had consumed four days. Starting their 2nd innings on the 5th morning, the Black Caps were not perturbed by Pakistan's nominal lead of 95 runs, especially when their own batsmen like Mathew Sinclair (204*), Mathew Bell (75), Mark Richardson and Adam Parore (46) each had done so well, piling up 476 runs in the 1st innings.

Since the match was heading for a draw no one appeared very serious in going for a result in the remaining few hours of the 5th day. The 'no help to bowlers' behavior of the pitch enabled the Black Caps to comfortably end the proceedings at 196 for 1. Richardson (73*) and Sinclair (50*) remaining the main scorers. With no result expected, it was a day of fun and frolic. Skipper Moin Khan walked out handing over the reins of captaincy to vice-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq while young Imran Farhat donned the wicket-keeping gloves, perhaps having learnt the job from brother Humayun.

To take advantage of a day's fun and practice, Inzamam provided all those aspiring to use the cherry in Test cricket, a chance to prove their caliber. He gave a long spell of 21 overs to Younis Khan, who surprisingly got his 1st test wicket by trapping Mathew Bell leg before. Faisal Iqbal and Yousuf Youhana (very wayward as far as his bowling is concerned!) bowled one over each, while speedster Waqar Younis resorted to bowling off breaks from a short run up. The match was called off much before the scheduled time.

Mathew Sinclair was declared man of the match for his marvelous innings of 204* and 50*. Though the game remained batting oriented to such an extent that its outcome could have been guessed just after the first two days' play, it did not lack the requisite quantum of thrill and sensation.

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