Winners write the history books and last week's test in
Dunedin will always be remembered fondly as Shane Bond's
comeback.
His eight-wicket haul earned him the man-of-the-match award
and helped separate two pretty even sides.
It also underlined what the Black Caps' attack has been
missing for the past two years.
Few, though, will remember seam bowler Mohammad Asif's
performance.
He took four wickets in both innings and finished with eight
for 151 - a marginally better return than Bond's eight for
153.
Had Pakistan won, Asif's performance might have attracted
more attention.
Then again it might not have.
His failed test for a performance-enhancing substance three
years ago and detention at Dubai Airport in June last year
after being caught in possession of opium have permanently
blotted his copybook.
But the 26-year-old gave a brilliant display of seam bowling
and, with 17-year-old Mohammad Aamer attacking from the other
end, Pakistan has a useful attack.
The test was also memorable for the performance of Umar
Akmal.
The Pakistan 19-year-old scored a century and 50 on debut and
looks poised to be the game's next superstar.
The cricket tragics will long dwell on Daniel Vettori's
entrance into the dreaded 99 club, and trainspotters will
revel in naming the seven other New Zealanders to get out one
short of a ton - bonus points if you can name which two New
Zealanders got out for 99 in the same test.
Peter Fulton will never forget his indecision.
He was given out lbw but replays clearly showed he had got a
thick edge before the ball hit his pads.
He looked like he knew he had hit it but seemed unable to
gather the courage to ask for the decision to be referred to
the third umpire.
Whether Fulton's mistake costs him his place in the 12 for
the second test in Wellington remains to be seen.
New Zealand is unlikely to go into that match with just four
bowlers, though.
Jeetan Patel will probably come into the 12, with either
Fulton or Grant Elliott jettisoned.
The critics would not have been disappointed with the test,
either.
New Zealand's batting calamity in the second innings not only
kept the match interesting but fuelled further top-order
angst.
And Pakistan dropped a series' worth of slip catches.
Speaking of knockers, the University Oval has had its share.
The pitch was voted the worst first-class wicket in the
country after last season.
But credit to the groundsman, Tom Tamati, the pitch held up
well during the five days and, despite some delays, Dunedin
also turned on some fairly good weather.
The crowds were a little sparse - 6672 people paid to get in
across the five days.
But the 2200 people who showed up for the last day made
enough noise that Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori said it
felt like playing in front of about "80,000" people.
Chasing 251 for the win, Pakistan looked to be cantering at
165 for five at tea.
But, buoyed by the crowd, Bond and Iain O'Brien responded
with superb spells.
Both bowled through the pain barrier, Bond with a nail
missing from his big left toe, and O'Brien with a dislocated
finger on his bowling hand.
Vettori, too, acknowledged he was not "fully" fit leading
into the match.
He is clearly struggling with a shoulder injury and probably
needs to go under the knife sooner than later.
The 30-year-old's joy at snaffling the return catch that
sealed the win will, no doubt, help him get through another
summer.
Still, there is something a bit sad about watching a young
man trade health for glory.
Vettori has taken some awful blows.
Earlier this month he was concussed after being struck on the
helmet during the one-day series against Pakistan, and at
times in the test he looked like he was labouring to lift his
arm above shoulder height.
