Pakistan‘s batting struggles came to the fore yet again as they stumbled spectacularly while chasing a modest 176 in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, losing by four runs.

Pakistan were cruising towards victory, placed at 130-3 at one stage. But the Kiwis, led by spinner Ajaz Patel who picked up five scalps, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to hand Pakistan another stunning defeat in the UAE capital.

It was a repeat of Pakistan’s effort last year when they failed to chase down 136 against Sri Lanka at the same venue in a Test.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s team, as expected, came in for heavy criticism for the lack of application shown by their batsmen. And as if to make a point, one batsman in Pakistan showed how to bat responsibly.

Back home in Pakistan, the tireless Fawad Alam came up with yet another fine effort in red-ball cricket, smashing an unbeaten 150 in the domestic Quaid-e-Azam tournament for SSGC while playing against Karachi Whites.

The continued non-selection of Alam is a touchy topic, with the left-hander the most prolific batsman in the country, averaging more than 55 with over 11,000 runs in first-class cricket. But successive selectors and management have decided to look beyond Alam.

With Pakistan’s batting struggling even in their UAE ‘home’, there is an even stronger case for the 33-year-old to be given another chance.