Twitter Reactions Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023

‘Saifi bas kar, rulayega kya pagley’- Fans pour love for Sarfaraz Ahmed as he slams a hundred against New Zealand in 2nd Test

This fourth Test century definitely meant a lot to him as he jumped, fist pumped, and swang the bat in joy.

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Rohit Kumar
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Sarfaraz Ahmed (Source - Twitter)

Sarfaraz Ahmed (Source - Twitter)

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.

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