Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023: Babar Azam Lead Pakistan in Balance Second Test Match Day 3 – Match Report

Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand | Second Test Match 2023

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

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

Tim Southee (c), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (keeper), 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 – 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 – As it Happened:

Pakistan vs New Zealand – Pakistan bat well on 3rd Day of the 2nd Test Match:

Imam UL Haq and Saud Shakeel had taken Pakistan to 154/3 by the end of second day’s play. Imam ul Haq was not out on 74 while Saud Shakeel was playing on 13 at the end of the day.

Pakistan resumed their innings at 154/3 on Day 3 of the second test match between the two sides. With the series drawn at 0-0, the winner of this game will go on to win the series as well. Pakistan had lost their captain Babar Azam and wanted to make sure that they do not knock themselves out of the game by conceding a large first innings lead.

Imam and Saud Shakeel resumed the innings in a calm and composed manner. Imam ul Haq once again neared a hundred but was dismissed for 83 when he edged Tim Southee to the keeper. Tom Blundell happily accepted the catch as Pakistan were reduced to 182-4.

Sarfaraz Ahmed joined Saud Shakeel at the crease. The two batters batted well to make a 150-run partnership. Saud Shakeel batted cautiously while Sarfaraz Ahmed kept the score board moving.

Sarfaraz brought up his third consecutive test fifty along the way. This has been a brilliant come back from the former Pakistan Captain after returning to the test side after more than four years.

Sarfaraz looked in control all the time and batted really well in his innings of 78 runs. Sarfaraz was batting on 78 runs when New Zealand threw the ball to Daryl Mitchell for his medium pace bowling.

Mitchell had Sarfaraz judged LBW on the first ball but the decision was overturned after a review as Sarfaraz had edged the ball onto his bat. On the last ball of the over, Sarfaraz Ahmed was given out stumped when Tom Blundell removed the bails in a stumping chance.

It looked like Sarfaraz’s foot was grounded. However, the umpire ruled him out in what has been a controversial decision.

Pakistan was at 332/5 when Agha Salman walked in to bat. He batted well with Saud Shakeel to take Pakistan to 385 runs but was dismissed for 41. Saud Shakeel brought up his maiden test century to keep Pakistan’s innings on track. He is not out on 124. Pakistan finished the day at 407/9.

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Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023: Babar Azam Lead Pakistan in Balance Second Test Match Day 3 – Match Report