Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st Test, Day 5: Talking Points

Pakistan and New Zealand locked horns on the 5th day of the 1st test match at the National Stadium in Karachi. New Zealand is visiting Pakistan after a very long time and this promises to be an exciting series with both teams looking well matched. New Zealand scripted a fantastic comeback back in the game but Pakistan held their nerves and drew the game in the end. Bad light had the last say and Babar Azam would have felt relieved after a brave declaration. Let’s look at some of the day’s talking points.

Pakistan lose early wickets but fight back well in the first session

The top-order failure left Pakistan in a spot of bother. But Sarfaraz Ahmed gave impetus to the innings, he batted aggressively for his 53, ably helped by Imam-ul-Haq who played a brilliant knock of 96. Later on, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim Junior performed under pressure with knocks of 55* and 43 respectively. Mir Hamza played his part as Pakistan did well to recover from 206/7 to get to 311/8 declared in 103.5 overs with 10 extras given by the fielding side.

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New Zealand bowlers toiled hard

Ish Sodhi was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with figures of 6/86 in 36.5 overs. Michael Bracewell picked up the other two wickets while the rest of the bowlers went wicketless. Neil Wagner didn’t bowl much while Southee and Ajaz Patel were ineffective as they were easily negotiated by the Pakistan batters.

New Zealand were up for the chase

Chasing an improbable 138 runs to win in 15 overs, New Zealand started off brilliantly as they hit 42 in the first 5 overs. Michael Bracewell promoted up the order and fell for 3 off 5 balls. Then the duo of Tom Latham and Devon Conway decided to have some fun and smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. Conway was unbeaten on 18* off 16 balls while Latham was the aggressor with his 35 off 24 balls as he showed his array of shots.

Bad light had the last say in the test match

The Kiwis were 61/1in 7.3 overs when the light dimmed to an impossible level and forced the umpires to call off play. Abrar Ahmed picked up the only wicket to fall but Nauman Ali was taken to the cleaners in this brief passage of play. The pacers Mohammad Wasim Junior and Mir Hamza bowled some tight overs before the light meters came out. It had got dark and gloomy and Aleem Dar decided that it will be the end of day’s play and the match resulted in a draw. New Zealand were the better side overall, but Pakistan did well to hold onto a well-fought draw in the end.