KARACHI: New Zealand’s wicketkeeper Tom Blundell produced a feat never seen before in 145 years of Men’s Test cricket, first two dismissals of the Test had been stumpings, a feat which had never been seen previously at Test level for men.
According to ICC report, experienced Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson introduced veteran spinner Ajaz Patel into the attack in just the fourth over of the day and the move paid dividends almost immediately as Abdullah Shafique was out stumped by Blundell for seven.
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Then just three overs later the Kiwis had their second and it was Shan Masood that perished this time, with the left-hander stumped by Blundell off the bowling of Michael Bracewell.
It meant the first two dismissals of the Test had been stumpings, a feat which had never been seen previously at Test level for men.
It is the second time it had occurred overall, with the Women’s Test between Australia and the West Indies in Jamaica in 1976 also commencing with two stumping dismissals.
Bracewell dismissed the usually reliable Imam-ul-Haq shortly after – the Pakistan opener was out caught – giving New Zealand an excellent start to the Test match and to the series.
