Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed slammed his fourth Test century on Day 5 of the ongoing second match against New Zealand. This fourth Test century definitely meant a lot to him as he jumped, fist pumped, and swang the bat in joy. His teammates, family, and supporters all were applauding when he raised the bat. He came in when Pakistan were staring at a collapse, but came in, looked at ease, and made the bowling and pitch ordinary. What a comeback story this has been for Sarfaraz, he has scored 50+ in all four innings this series.
Before this series, Sarfaraz last played a Test for Pakistan in January 2019 against South Africa. The ongoing series is his first Test assignment at home. He has been all class, with four back-to-back fifty-plus scores. Sarfaraz, who replaced Mohammad Rizwan, scored 86 and 53 in the opener, followed by 78 in the first innings of the decider. And now, he has a century.
Pakistan will aim for the victory
Sarfaraz made his debut against Australia in 2010. He has since amassed over 2,900 runs in 51 matches. He has 21 fifties besides four tons. Before this knock, all of his three Test hundreds came in 2014. At home, Sarfaraz has gone past the 300-run mark. Meanwhile, he has hoarded 1,479 and 1,178 runs at away and neutral venues, averaging 32.86 and 42.07, respectively.
Batting first, New Zealand racked up 449/10. Tom Latham and Devon Conway were the architects of the same. The hosts then amassed 408, courtesy of a fighting ton from Saud Shakeel. The Kiwis tallied 277/5 and then declared, setting a 319-run target for the Men in Green. Pakistan, who lost two wickets without scoring a single run on Day 4, have put up a fight thanks to Sarfaraz. They need less than 100 runs to win the Test.
The Babar Azam-led side certainly has a point to prove in the ongoing contest as they endured a horrendous run in home Tests last year. Australia defeated them 1-0 in March. Pakistan hosted England in December and lost all three Tests. As the opening Test against NZ ended in a draw, Pakistan must win the Karachi Test to seal the series.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Good person at heart in the entire Pakistan team. Rose above all the politics in the Pak team. Well deserved
— chiranjeevi (@chiranjeevimd21) January 6, 2023
Better then Zimbu
— FOR G O A T ¹⁸🐐 (@AbhiGoudVK18) January 6, 2023
real captaan
— Sreerag Rajesh (@RajeshSreerag) January 6, 2023
better than babar and frizwan
Sabar karne walon ke kamiyabi shor machati haiii…..@SarfarazA_54 congratulations 🔥🔥💯#SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/KfnF0NCPOi
— Adeel Ghouri (@adeelghourisays) January 6, 2023
Aik aur century 💚 Allah kry ye kaam b ajaye #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/aNst6nJSC0
— Rabia Jamil (@RabiaJameel10) January 6, 2023
Saifi, rulayega kya, pagley?! #PAKvNZ #SarfarazAhmed
— KAA (@khiladi2002) January 6, 2023
Saifiiiiiii 🔥🔥🔥
— Hamza Irshad (@Hamzair390) January 6, 2023
Brings up his 1st century in Pakistan 😍🔥💯🥹🥹
Now just take Pakistan across the line and just double up the joy!! 🙏🥰💯@SarfarazA_54 #SarfarazAhmed #KarachiTest #PAKvNZ #TayyariKiwiHai
This sarfaraz's single knock against new zealand is better then whole babar azam last year performances, such a class and legend saifi is 🔥❤️#SarfarazAhmed #PAKvNZ
— Fermi Lothbrok (@itz_aliakbar) January 6, 2023
What an Inning By Sarfraz Ahmed on His Home Ground 👌👌😍 Brilliant 💯 His Celebration 🎉 😍😍😍😍#PakvsNZ #SarfarazAhmed #NZvsPAK pic.twitter.com/EAE0IW090r
— معظم چوہدری (@moazam87) January 6, 2023
A big slap on the face of @iramizraja crucial knock of 100 by #SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ
— Usman Khan Afridi (@ItsUsmanAfridi) January 6, 2023
