Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023: Day 1 New Zealand Bat Well on Second Test Match Against Pakistan – Match Report

Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 | Second Test Match

Dates: 02nd January 2023 – 06th January 2023

Venue: National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi (formerly known as National Stadium Karachi)

Pakistan vs New Zealand Teams – Playing XIs:

Pakistan’s Playing XI – 2nd Test Match:

Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed

Pakistan made two changes to their team ahead of the second test match against New Zealand. Hasan Ali was brought back into the side in place of Nauman Ali while Naseem Shah played ahead of Mohammad Wasim Junior.

Sarfaraz Ahmed retained his place in the side as Babar had indicated after the first test match against new Zealand.

New Zealand’s Playing XI – 2nd Test Match:

Tim Southee (c), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel

New Zealand made one change to their side by bringing in Matt Henry for Neil Wagner as their rotation policy.

Pakistan vs New Zealand – 2nd Test Match Toss:

Tim Southee won his first toss as the Captain of New Zealand and elected to bat first on the Karachi track that looked good for batting. It would be interesting to see if the wicket turns as the game goes on.

Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023: Day 1 New Zealand Bat Well on Second Test Match

Pakistan vs New Zealand – As it Happened Day 1 Report | 2nd Test Match

New Zealand’s openers started off pretty well as they backed their captain’s decision to bat first on another flat Karachi wicket. The two openers started solidly and went to lunch unseparated. The openers had scored 119 runs without losing any wicket at lunch time. Latham had brought up his fifty in 70 balls while Conway got to the landmark in 78 balls. At lunch, New Zealand were 119/0. Tom Latham was batting at 67 while Conway was not out on 51.

Pakistan struck soon after the lunch break as Latham was trapped LBW by Naseem Shah’s skiddy ball. Williamson joined Conway at the crease as the two batters shared a century stand to take New Zealand to 226/1 at Tea. Conway brought up his century in 156 balls.

The day had belonged well and truly to New Zealand as they aimed to post a huge total in the first innings.

However, things changed quickly after tea break as Pakistan struck with the old ball to break the century stand between Williamson and Conway. Conway was batting at 122 runs when he edged a ball from Agha Salman to Sarfaraz Ahmed.

The wicket provided an opening for Pakistan as a middle order collapse made life difficult for New Zealand. Williamson got out for 36 and Nicholls made 26. Daryl Mitchell made only 3 runs while Bracewell got out without scoring. This reduced New Zealand to 279/6 in 80 overs.

Ish Sodhi joined Tom Blundell at the crease with still 10 overs remaining in the day’s play. Pakistan would have loved to pick up more wickets. However, the two batters negotiated all the threats and took New Zealand to 309/6 by the end of day’s play. 

Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali remained wicketless for Pakistan. The all rounder Agha Salman was the best performer for the team with 3/55 in 20 overs. Abrar Ahmed also picked up a wicket while Naseem Shah provided two crucial breakthroughs. An interesting day of test match cricket is anticipated for tomorrow.

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Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023: Day 1 New Zealand Bat Well on Second Test Match