The second Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand has seen some great batting performances from the visitors. While Devon Conway hit the first century of 2023, Tom Latham and Tom Blundell hit half-centuries each to help their team to a good position.
The half-century by Matt Henry, on the other hand, has gotten the most attention. Batting at number 10, Henry showed great tenacity to reach his fifty-ball mark in just 42 balls. His innings has been very frustrating for the Pakistan bowlers. Along with Ajaz Patel, he has added 88 runs to the 10th wicket partnership.
At lunch on day two, the Black Caps had scored 433 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Matt Henry remains unbeaten on 56 runs in 59 balls and Ajaz Patel has scored 31 runs in 64 balls. The home side will look to break this partnership at the earliest and get in the middle for their batting innings.
The pitches curated in Pakistan in recent times have received widespread criticism from around the world. The surfaces have been excellent for the batters, which has allowed them to get a lot of runs under their belt. The recently concluded Test series against England is proof of that. The team led by Ben Stokes had whitewashed Pakistan in the three-match series.
On the other hand, the bowlers have not much to be happy about. The Asian conditions are traditionally known for their turning wickets, but the pitches in Pakistan have not provided any turn since the series against Australia earlier in 2022.
As for the series against New Zealand, the first match at the National Stadium in Karachi ended in a draw. The interim chief PCB selector, Shahid Afridi, promised that there would be some bounce on the wicket in the second match. However, that has not been the case so far. If there is no significant change in the playing conditions in the upcoming days, this match might also end in a draw.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Matt Henry
When you concede runs to Mark Woods or Matt Henry.. Number 10 tailenders.. you have to blame the captaincy.. no planning no improvement.. No fitness also from Captain Babar. Becoming Rohit part 2 with that Over blown stomach.. Tidd nikla hua is ka
— KaanpeTaangRahiHa (@ha_taang) January 3, 2023
Pakistan pace attack?????#PakvsNZ #INDvsSL #RanjiTrophy #IPL #NZvsPAK #MattHenry pic.twitter.com/jsqZSZSiuO
— ??AD?? (@Adarsh52250021) January 3, 2023
And they say we have world's best bowling
50* runs partnership come up for the last wicket between Matt Henry and Ajaj Patel
RIP Paxtan cricket ?? pic.twitter.com/lyd5AvDfLq
— Raj_06 (@Rajkumar__0) January 3, 2023
An unbeaten 88 runs partnership on the last wicket between Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel helped New Zealand to score 433/9 at lunch on day 2 against Pakistan in the second Test.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/oHIbAyygUD
— Tanveer Hassan (@tanveerspeaks_) January 3, 2023
PCT to Matt Henry & Ajaz Patel
Out ho jao Allah ka wasta ee#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/wlXj6oKjwJ— Awais Sarwar (@Daxxxsabb) January 3, 2023
Fifty for Matt Henry. He scored 50* runs from 42 balls against Pakistan in 2nd Test match batting at No.10. pic.twitter.com/PAn76550qo
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) January 3, 2023
Third Test fifty for Matt Henry ?
?: Sony LIV@Matthenry014 | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/tjEE0hGbAe
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 3, 2023
345 for 9 to 433 for 9 by New Zealand, brilliant from Matt Henry & Ajaz Patel.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2023
Matt Henry is only the 2nd test cricketer to have a 50 from batting positions 9,10,11 . Pat Symcox was the first . Pat Symcox also has test 50s from position 4 & 8.
— ss (@ss04072012) January 3, 2023
Fifty by No.10 Matt Henry in 42 balls. pic.twitter.com/kBkfwUOaxB
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2023
