The first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand being played in National Stadium, Karachi reached its culmination on Friday as New Zealand smelled a victory. Pakistan resumed their innings on 77/2 with Nauman Ali and Imam-ul-Haq at the crease.
New Zealand started the day in great fashion as they dismissed night watchman Nauman Ali early in the day. Wrist spinner Ish Sodhi caught the big fish as he trapped Pakistan captain Babar Azam in front of the stumps and sent him on his way back to the pavilion. Pakistan fans were having their heart in their mouth with the score on 100/4.
However, Imam-ul-Haq held one end and played a brilliant knock. He got good support from Sarfaraz Ahmed who continued his great form in his comeback Test. The duo added 85 runs on the board for the sixth wicket and sent a sense of calmness in the dressing room.
Ish Sodhi once again brought the kiwis back into the game as he broke the partnership which left Pakistan reeling at 206/7. A rear-guard action from tailenders Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim Jr took Pakistan to safe shores by adding 71 runs for the eighth wicket.
With just 17 overs left in the day, Babar Azam made a brave call of declaring the innings and set a target of 138 runs for New Zealand in 15 overs. The kiwis sent Michael Bracewell to open the innings making their intentions clear. However, he was dismissed in the first over itself by Abrar Ahmed which brought Tom Latham to the crease.
Latham looked in fine touch as he began scoring in boundaries right from the word go and took New Zealand to 61/1 in 7.3 overs. It looked as if New Zealand would chase the total down with their aggressive approach but bad light spoiled their party as the on-field umpires called off the play after checking the light. As a result, the match ended in a draw which broke Pakistan’s streak of four consecutive losses at home.
We wanted to see a result, light wasn’t good enough: Babar Azam
After the match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said that he wanted to see a result but the light wasn’t good.
“Definitely a brave declaration. We wanted to see a result, light wasn’t good enough. Our fifth bowler was Salman, but after first innings he wasn’t well, he was sick for two days. I don’t think we were a bowler short. The way Saud and Wasim Jr played, credit to them for playing positive cricket and getting up that partnership,” said Babar in the post-match presentation.
Babar’s statement didn’t go down well with fans who mercilessly trolled him on social media. Here are the reactions of fans on Babar’s statement:
Wanted result in Nz favour???
— Ankit Mavi (@ankit_7200) December 30, 2022
Babar wanted to pick 10 wickets in 15 overs? ??
In return got spanked for 7 overs ?— Adesh Ajju (@AjjuAdesh) December 30, 2022
Just wanted fake sympathy from his fans that he did make a brave decision…if they truly wanted to play for a result they should have shown intent from starting of the day and would have declared till mid 2nd session
— Shubham (@shubham8bp) December 30, 2022
Man Of The Match : Aleem Dar pic.twitter.com/ZQlOGmWkyi
— ? ???????? ll ?? (@VKohliEmpire) December 30, 2022
Correction* We wanted to lose but light was not good enough
— Mr Om?? (@MrOm14852020) December 30, 2022
Could see the glee on his face when the match stopped!!!
— Ramanujam Sridhar (@RamanujamSri) December 30, 2022
There was literally NO WAY Pakistan could have got 10 wickets in 15 overs.. Babar literally Gift wrapped a Victory to New Zealand.. But saved by bad Light!
— CricOpinions (@CricOPinionsB) December 30, 2022
Well, a test match lasts only for five days. NZ ended the second innings on the final day at 61/1 not 61/9.
— GK (@metadoors) December 30, 2022
Achaaawwww … 10 over aur jldi declare krta na fir … ACHE SE result milta ?
— 2Legit2Quit (@_just_my_way) December 30, 2022
babar azam-: pic.twitter.com/SlFHeQeKW9
— manish (@manish_737) December 30, 2022
*we wanted to loose, but Thanks to Aleem Dar, he saved us*
— Priya ?? (@priya_jajoo) December 30, 2022
Could have been nice had he mentioned whose result he wanted
— Jenis Jebaraj (@jenis_jebaraj) December 30, 2022
Haha joke of the century …Was he expecting a day /night test here
— Subramaniam iyer (@Subramaniamiy11) December 30, 2022
200 over mai out huey nahi wo 15 over mai ye result lata
— Cricturn (@cricturn) December 30, 2022
