Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand | First Test Match 2022
Dates: 26th December 2022 – 30th December 2022
Venue: National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi (formerly known as National Stadium Karachi)
Pakistan vs New Zealand Teams – Playing XIs:
Pakistan’s Playing XI:
Babar Azam (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed returned to the Pakistan side after a long absence of 4 years. The former Pakistan Captain was brought in place of Mohammad Rizwan. The other change was the return of fast bowler Mir Hamza who last played for Pakistan in 2018.
New Zealand’s Playing XI:
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel
The Kiwis went into the 1st test match with 2 spinners and 2 seamers and 2 all-rounders.
Pakistan vs New Zealand – Toss:
Pakistan’s Captain Babar A. won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision was based around the fact that the pitch will deteriorate as the game would go on. Therefore, batting last at the pitch in Karachi would be challenging.
Pakistan vs New Zealand – As it Happened:
Babar Azam 4th Hundred of the Year Slam Leads Pakistan Out the Slump: Pakistan vs New Zealand – First Test Match 2022
Pakistan’s first innings 1st Test Match – Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022:
Pakistan had started poorly in their first innings. Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique opened the innings for Pakistan. New Zealand brought in their spinner Ajaz Patel in the 4th over of the innings. Pakistani batters tried to be positive in their innings and keep the scoreboard ticking.
In their attempt to keep the runs flowing, they played some horrible shots and threw their wickets away.
Pakistan crumbled to 110/4:
Abdullah Shafique was the first Pakistani Batter to throw his wicket away. He advanced down to an Ajaz Patel ball and missed it completely as the ball spun sharply past the bat of Abdullah Shafique. Tom Blundell did the rest and Abdullah Shafique was stumped.
Shan Masood walked out to bat at number three for Pakistan. He also tried to be positive in his innings but was stumped for a score of 3. Pakistan had lost their first two wickets for 19 as the Captain Babar A. walked out to bat. Imam UL Haq looked good and hit 5 boundaries in his innings of 24.
Pakistan lost their third wicket for 48. The wicket brought Saud Shakeel to the crease. His stay at the crease lasted 34 balls as he got out for 22. Thus, leaving Pakistan reeling at 110/4.
Pakistan had lost 4 wickets in the morning session and there was not much batting to come for them either.
Impressive Batting by Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed:
Babar Azam 4th Hundred of the Year Slam Leads Pakistan Out the Slump: Pakistan vs New Zealand – First Test Match 2022
Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar A. had the responsibility of steering the ship out of storm. The two experienced batters stood up and built an impressive 196 run partnership to take Pakitan to 306/4. Sadly, Sarfraz Ahmed was dismissed for a well-made 86. On the other hand, Babar A. finished the day at 161 not out.
Pakistan were 317/5 by the end of play on the opening day of the first test match between Pakistan and New Zealand.
Agha Salman was not out for 3 while Babar is well-set at 161. The two batters will have to bat long tomorrow to make sure that Pakistan completely dominate the match. The Kiwis would want to dismiss them as soon as possible.
It is going to be an interesting Day 2 in Karachi.
