ISLAMABAD: Pakistan managed to avoid a fifth consecutive Test defeat on home soil against New Zealand on Friday, drawing the first of the two-Test match series against the Kiwis in Karachi.
New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi took six wickets to put Pakistan on the back foot, as the green shirts' batting order didn't put up much resistance at 206-7 after impressive half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq (96) and former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed (53).
Pakistan's Babar Azam bats during the fifty day of first test cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, on December 30, 2022. (AP)
However, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim put up an impressive partnership to ensure Pakistan extended their lead against New Zealand to over 100 runs. Shakeel scored an unbeaten 55 while Wasim made 43 before he was dismissed by Sodhi.
Mir Hamza remained unbeaten on 3 as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam declared with just a lead of 136 over New Zealand. With only 15 overs remaining in the day, the Black Caps tried to win the match by playing aggressive cricket.
New Zealand's Michael Bracewell, left, celebrates with teammate after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Nauman Ali during the fifty day of first test cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, on December 30, 2022. (AP)
However, they lost Michael Bracewell to mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, who clean bowled him. Devon Conway scored 18 from 16 while Tom Latham scored 35 from 24 balls before the match ended. New Zealand finished on 61/1 after 7.3 overs at stumps on Day 5.
Pakistan have lost two Test home series this year, one against Australia (1-0) and the other against England (3-0). A loss today would have been Babar Azam XI's fifth consecutive loss on home soil this year.
Following the England whitewash, cricket analysts and critics have questioned skipper Azam's captaincy and demanded a new leader be appointed for the national men's squad for the Test format.
