Cricket Highlights, 26 Dec: PAK vs NZ (1st Test)

PAK vs NZ (1st Test) – Highlights

Pakistan and New Zealand met in the first match of the 2-Test series in Karachi on 26 December. In that match, Pakistan went down to bat in the 1st innings and scored a mountain of runs. After that, New Zealand announced the innings with a good amount of lead after coming down to bat in the 1st innings with that trial. In the 2nd innings, Pakistan could not make a big target even though they batted calmly. After that, being batted with that low target the 5th day ended with the 2nd innings of New Zealand, and the 1st Test was a draw despite all the hardships. As a result, who will win the series depends on the last test. Besides, Kane Williamson won the man-of-the-match title due to his double century.

After being whitewashed in the Test series by England, Pakistan came into the field against New Zealand at home. After winning the toss and batting in Karachi, Pakistan took the control of the Test on the first day. Pakistan was on the way to a big score, especially with the batting rampage of Captain Babar Azam. He remained unbeaten on the first day with 161 runs. Pakistan’s score was 317 for 5. Batting on the second day, Babar could not add any more runs to the previous day. He got out for 161 runs. Pakistan lost the remaining 5 wickets and added only 121 runs. Among them, Agha Salman alone scored 100 runs. Salman got out after scoring 103 runs off 155 balls. Besides, Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 86 runs off 153 balls. In the end, Pakistan scored 438 runs after losing 10 wickets with 16 runs extra.

Tim Southee took 3 wickets for New Zealand. Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, and Ish Sodhi took 2 wickets each. Neil Wagner took 1 wicket.

In reply to Pakistan’s 438 runs, the Kiwis lost 9 wickets and declared their innings at 612 runs. In reply, the way New Zealand’s openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway started very nicely, the visitors will also go too far. 183 runs were scored in the opening pair. Williamson came to bat after Devon Conway was dismissed for 92 runs. He left the field unbeaten at 200 runs. Ish Sodhi scored 65 runs. Tom Blundell scored 47 runs and Daryl Mitchell scored 42 runs. Opener Tom Latham was dismissed for 113 runs.

Leg spinner Abrar Ahmed who bowled brilliantly on his debut against England took 5 wickets for Pakistan. Nauman Ali took 3 wickets. Mohammad Wasim took 1 wicket.

Pakistan announced the innings at 311 runs for 8 wickets after coming down to bat in the 2nd innings from 174 runs behind. Opener Imam-ul Haque got out after scoring 96 runs. Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 53 runs and Shakeel remained unbeaten on 55 runs. Ish Sodhi took 6 wickets for New Zealand. Besides, Michael Bracewell took 2 wickets.

Pakistan set a target of just 138 runs for New Zealand. New Zealand played in traditional T20 style to chase the target. After playing 7.3 overs, they lost 1 wicket and scored 61 runs. They tried to make quick runs, but they did not get the time. As time ran out, the Kiwis had no choice but to accept a lifeless draw. Tom Latham scored 35 runs off 24 balls. Devon Conway scored 18 runs off 16 balls. Mitchell Bracewell came down to open and was dismissed for 3 runs.

PAK vs NZ Scoreboard

Pakistan (1st innings) – 438/10 (130.5)

New Zealand (1st innings) – 612/9 d (194.5)

Pakistan (2nd innings) – 311/8 d (103.5)

New Zealand (2nd innings) – 61/1 (7.3)

Result – Match drawn

Player of the match – Kane Williamson

PAK vs NZ Playing XIs