Pakistan and New Zealand squared off against each other at the National Stadium in Karachi. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. The Men in Green did not get off to the best of starts as Pakistan were reeling at 48-3. The top order was back in the shed and Pakistan needed something special to get back into the game. Skipper Babar Azam and Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed stitched a brilliant 196-run stand for the fifth wicket as the team ended up on 317/5 on Day 1.
Coming in to bat on Day 2, Babar was dismissed early on the score of 161 runs. But there was another threat for the Blackcaps as Agha Salman scored a brilliant century while coming at no.7, Salman played a superb knock of 103 runs off 155 deliveries which included 17 beautiful fours. With the help of his innings, Pakistan ended up on 438 runs.
New Zealand openers looked too strong
New Zealand skipper and fast bowler Tim Southee was the highest wicket taker for the team as he clinched 3 wickets. The Kiwi’s spinning department also did a really great job as Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell were able to pick 2 wickets each for the team.
After toiling for 130 overs in the field, it was time for payback from New Zealand as Devon Conway and Tom Latham sunk their teeth into this pitch. They scored merrily and were not troubled for the slightest. Even the mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed was ineffective today. Both Kiwi openers notched up the fifties, and the only chance Pakistan did have was a Conway caught behind the wickets which wasn’t reviewed. New Zealand are now sitting pretty at 165/0 at the end of Day 2.
The Babar Azam-led side will look to get rid of the New Zealand openers as soon as possible on Day 3. On the other hand, the Blackcaps will look to get some lead over the hosts as the pitch seemed too flat, and having too many batters coming in to bat, they can get a huge lead over Pakistan on Day 3.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Wasim aur hamza se acha hasan Ali ko rakh lete
— Alina Azeem (@AzeemAlina) December 27, 2022
Nauman Ali se acha toh Zahid tha ya Nawaz #PAKvNZ
Bhaiyo aik bhi out nahi kero gay kya?
— Sir BoiesX 🕯 (@BoiesX45) December 27, 2022
😐#PAKvNZ || @shoaib100mph pic.twitter.com/b5CUYqmofz
Missed chance by Pakistan – Conway edged the ball but they didn't take the review.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/D3vcYav7HP
— ICC Pakistan (@ICC_TheRealPCB) December 27, 2022
Ye sab kya dekhna pad raha hai acha hai mein andha hu #PAKvNZ
— Tanvir 🇵🇰 (@TanvirBhattipk) December 27, 2022
PCB must consider organizing Carrom tournament with visiting teams on its pitches as they are so flat. #PAKvNZ
— Ravi Bhai 🤷♂️ (@tracer_bullet1) December 27, 2022
Bhaijan yeh kya ho gya phir 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#PAKvNZ @daniel86cricket @ArfaSays_ pic.twitter.com/xfOnWkR3HO
— Molly (@ash_dam007) December 27, 2022
Bhai bezat hi hona hota hai na bulaya karo, puri traffic bhi jam 10000 commando alag aur 1 match nai jeet saktay #PAKvNZ
— Isfahan Khan (@isfy_7) December 27, 2022
Wicket kaab aige?? 😭😏#PAKvNZ #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/hRELihXNUE
— Abdullah Suلtan 🇵🇰 (@ImAbdullaha56) December 27, 2022
Chalo bhai koi out krdo….
— Muhammad Moiz Asif (@MoizAsif19) December 27, 2022
Ajeeb mazak lagaya hua hai 😩#PAKvNZ
