Pakistan vs New Zealand Day 4: New Zealand’s Commanding Performance Puts Pakistan on the Backfoot 1st Test Match – Match Report

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:

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

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

Pakistan vs New Zealand – Toss Report:

Pakistan’s Captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. His decision proved fruitful as his batters scored 438 runs in the first innings.

Day 4 | 1st Test Match | Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022:

Pakistan vs New Zealand Day 4: New Zealand’s Commanding Performance Puts Pakistan on the Backfoot 1st Test Match – Match Report

New Zealand resumed their innings from 440/6 on day 4 of the first test match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 113 while Ish Sodhi was at the other end. Pakistan wanted to wrap things up quickly so that New Zealand may not get a huge first innings lead. However, Ish Sodhi and Kane Williamson had different plans. It was a very low and slow wicket that did not offer much to the Pakistan bowlers.

The bowler Ish Sodhi frustrated Pakistan the most as he scored slowly without allowing Pakistan any opening. He made 65 runs in 180 balls. Williamson and Sodhi added 159 runs for the 7th wicket as New Zealand got a massive first innings lead.

Williamson was nearing his double century when Sodhi got out. The young leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed drew a leading edge that was caught by Babar Azam to break the stand between Sodhi and Williamson.

Kane Williamson’s Double Century| 1st Test Match | Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022:

Pakistan vs New Zealand Day 4: New Zealand’s Commanding Performance Puts Pakistan on the Backfoot 1st Test – Match Report

The next two wickets fell quickly as Pakistan had New Zealand 9 down at 597. Williamson was in his 190s with only Ajaz Patel to accompany him. The former New Zealand captain batted sensibly to bring up his 5th double century in test match cricket. New Zealand declared the innings at 612/9. Thus, taking a 174-run lead in the first innings.

Pakistan’s bowling| 1st Test Match | Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022:

It was a tough period of play for the Pakistani bowlers. They bowled 195 overs in total, with the two lead spinners bowling 130 overs collectively.  Abrar Ahmed picked up 5 wickets for Pakistan but he went for 200+ runs in his long spell of bowling. It was a tiring, draining, and demoralizing day of test cricket for Pakistan.

Even the fans in the stadium looked disappointed with the performance of their side. It has been a terrible test match so far, with the batters scoring big runs.

Pakistan’s second innings | 1st Test Match | Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022:

Pakistan had almost 30 overs to bat, before the end of day’s play. The batters tried to bat with caution. Pakistan finished the day at 77/2. Imam ul Haq and the nightwatchman Nauman Ali were at the crease. Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood were the batters who got out for 17 and 10 runs respectively.

New Zealand will have a good chance to win this test match tomorrow if they pick up the remaining Pakistan wickets. Otherwise, the match is heading towards a draw.

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Pakistan vs New Zealand Day 4: New Zealand’s Commanding Performance Puts Pakistan on the Backfoot 1st Test – Match Report