Pakistan vs New Zealand, First Test Day 1: Highlights

Right then, the last Test match of the year comes to an end! It turned out to be an exciting draw in the end all thanks to the declaration from Babar Azam. It's going to be a quick turnaround as we will return to Karachi for the second Test match, starting on the 2nd of January, 2023 at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT). Do join us for all the action. Until then, it's goodbye from us. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year. Stay safe and don't drink and drive. Cheers!

Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan, says that it was a brave declaration as they wanted a result but the light was not good enough. On the fifth bowling option, Babar replies that Agha Salman is there for them but he was not feeling well after his knock in the first innings. Praises Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim for the way they batted and formed a partnership. Tells that they are happy with the result and he admits that there are areas they need to work on ahead of the next Test match.

Tim Southee, the captain of New Zealand, starts by saying that he doesn't feel that the win slipped away and adds that it was pleasant to get into a winning position despite losing the toss. He praises his boys for all the hard work they put in the last five days. Feels that late in the third innings, Pakistan batted nicely and a couple of good knocks took the game to safety for them. Southee is excited for Sodhi who made a tremendous comeback to Test cricket and will be proud of himself. The Kiwi skipper also lauds the batting effort of Kane Williamson who showed his class and proved his credentials in these conditions yet again. On his captaincy, Southee replies that it was nothing different from what they usually do with Kane and Tom Latham around for suppport.

Kane Williamson is the Player of the Match for his double century! The former Kiwi skipper says that it was a fantastic opening stand that set the tone for them in the first innings. Adds that he was just aiming to build a lot of partnerships. Tells that Pakistan are very well equipped for these conditions and New Zealand just tried to stick to the plans. Mentions that it was a good surface for batting but at the same time, the rough that got created made things interesting. When asked about his feeling after giving up the captaincy, Kane smiles and replies that he was still a part of a number of chats with Southee who he feels did a great job as the leader of the group. Shares that it was nice to spend some time in the middle and make a contribution like that with the bat. He is happy with the way they adjusted with the ball as the conditions are alien to them.

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Let's throw some spotlight on the centurions. Babar Azam was dropped on 12 by Daryl Mitchell and he went on to make 161 runs. His departure in the first over of Day 2 was a big moment as it allowed New Zealand to make a comeback. Agha Salman's ton along with his expertise to bat with the lower order was also one of the highlights for Pakistan. For the Kiwis, Tom Latham stroked a fabulous hundred and then Kane Williamson put on a resolute show with the bat and reached his fifth double century in Tests. He too was granted a life when he was on 21 as Sarfaraz Ahmed failed to do the stumping. Have to say, the flaws in this game played a big role in making it interesting.

Pakistan lost out on many counts. It was a bizarre approach from them on the first morning of this Test where they threw away four wickets. Babar Azam's superlative knock and his partnership with Sarfaraz Ahmed rescued them but the Kiwis bounced back on Day 2 and restricted them under 450. With the ball, Pakistan struggled to pick wickets at regular intervals, and by forming handy partnerships, New Zealand managed to earn a 174-run lead. Not to forget plenty of opportunities that Pakistan missed on the field, be it while going for the catch, inflicting a stumping or showing alertness to take the DRS.

It's a well-fought Test match! Both teams had their say, and it's New Zealand who took the initiative on Day 4 when this game was hanging in the balance. Kane Williamson's masterclass with the bat and his century stand with Ish Sodhi put New Zealand on top, and Sodhi then took that confidence into his bowling and picked up a 6-wicket haul - his best Test bowling figures in an innings. 

There were many great innings in this Test but the knock of Saud Shakeel and his partnership with Mohammad Wasim was the one that saved this Test match for Pakistan, and can be counted as the most impactful one. Mir Hamza's long stay at the crease cannot be ignored either.

Pakistan are relieved! They have come out of this Test match unscathed. Babar Azam took a chance by declaring and setting a target but the way New Zealand responded scared the home team. Had the fading light not interfered, we were heading towards a thrilling finish.

Another reading is being taken. A quick check from Aleem Dar. He has a word with Alex Wharf. The light is found to be inadequate. Babar Azam has a smile of relief on his face. Latham is having a word with the umpires. Now, the players shake hands and this TEST MATCH ENDS IN A DRAW!

7.3: Mohammad Wasim to Devon Conway, Bowls it wide outside off, Devon Conway leaves it alone.

7.2: Mohammad Wasim to Tom Latham, On a length and on off, slower too. Tom Latham gently pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

7.1: Mohammad Wasim to Devon Conway, Around the wicket. On a length and on off, Devon Conway drills it towards long on for one.

It's getting dark and the light meter is out again. They are checking the natural light. The artificial lights are switched on as well. With the fast bowlers bowling, it won't be long before the umpires take them off.

6.6: Mir Hamza to Tom Latham, Slightly shorter and outside off, Tom Latham looks to pull it but misses.

6.5: Mir Hamza to Tom Latham, This one lands outside off, Tom Latham swings his bat at it but fails to connect.

6.4: Mir Hamza to Devon Conway, Full and on off, Devon Conway looks to heave it but gets an inside edge onto his knees as the ball rolls towards the gully region. They collect one and Conway is limping. That hit the unprotected area near the knee.

6.3: Mir Hamza to Tom Latham, Fuller and on off, slower too. Tom Latham looks to loft it but gets the toe end of his bat. It lobs towards the vacant mid off region. They cross.

6.2: Mir Hamza to Devon Conway, On a length and around off, Devon Conway looks to play at it but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces off the deck. They collect a quick single asMir attacks the ball, turns but misses his shy at the bowler's end.

6.1: Mir Hamza to Tom Latham, Slightly shorter one, Tom Latham guides it to backward point and rotates the strike.

The light meter has come out as it has started to go dark. It's good to continue at the moment. Mir Hamza comes into the attack.

5.6: Mohammad Wasim to Tom Latham, Fuller and on off, Tom Latham looks to drill it but doesn't connect well. It rolls towards mid off. They cross. 83 needed off 54 balls.

5.5: Mohammad Wasim to Tom Latham, On a length with some extra bounce, Tom Latham looks to play at it but misses.

5.4: Mohammad Wasim to Tom Latham, SIX! All the way. A length ball around off, Tom Latham stays back to climb onto it and powers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. At the moment, everything is going wrong for Pakistan here! 50 up.

5.3: Mohammad Wasim to Devon Conway, Fuller and on off, Devon Conway looks to loft it but gets the inside half of the bat and the ball rolls towards long on. They cross.

5.2: Mohammad Wasim to Tom Latham, Slightly shorter one, Tom Latham drills it to mid on for a single.

5.1: Mohammad Wasim to Tom Latham, FOUR! This one lands on leg, Tom Latham uses the pace of the ball and clips it over backward square leg for a boundary. Two fielders in the deep on the leg side and they failed to pick it up.

Mohammad Wasim comes into the attack.

4.6: Abrar Ahmed to Devon Conway, FOUR! Superb timing and execution. This is quality batting, 14 off the over. Conway goes down to fetch a full ball from outside leg and reverse-sweeps it with aplomb to the sweeper cover fence. 96 needed off 60 balls and Babar has a concerned look on his face.

4.5: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, On the pads, helped to backward square leg for a run.

4.4: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, FOUR! Well placed! Too full and around leg, Latham kneels down and nails it behind square leg. It beats the fielder near the fence and goes for a boundary. Sweep shot is working like a dream for Tom.

4.3: Abrar Ahmed to Devon Conway, Full and outside leg, Conway reverse-sweeps it to deep point for a run.

4.2: Abrar Ahmed to Devon Conway, Quicker and around leg, defended back.

4.1: Abrar Ahmed to Devon Conway, FOUR! Bang! Flighted delivery, around off, Devon Conway attacks it and drills it down the ground for a boundary at long off.

3.6: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, Around off, Latham plays an aerial sweep shot and it goes to deep square leg. Two more. 110 needed off possible 66 balls.

3.5: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, Tossed up and outside off, Latham tries to go over covers but fails to connect.

3.4: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, FOUR! Fine shot! Loopy and full, around off, Latham goes down and sweeps it sweetly through square leg for a boundary. 

3.3: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, Flighted on off, defended.

3.2: Agha Salman to Devon Conway, Full and outside off, lofted down to wide long off. A single was taken as Imam quickly got to the ball.

3.1: Agha Salman to Devon Conway, The batter has just blocked that from his crease.

2.6: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, Quicker and shorter on off, Latham punches off the back foot but finds point. 117 needed from the possible 72 balls.

2.5: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, Five penalty runs! Loopy and full, down the leg side, Latham attempts to play the reverse sweep but misses. It goes through the legs of the keeper and hits the helmet kept behind on the ground.

2.4: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, Fires it on the pads, Latham eases it to deep square leg and picks another couple.

2.3: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, Goes down on one knee and sweeps it aerially to deep backward square leg. Two taken.

2.2: Abrar Ahmed to Tom Latham, Flatter and quicker on middle, defended on the leg side.

2.1: Abrar Ahmed to Devon Conway, Quicker and outside off, Devon runs it down to third man for a single.

1.6: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, Flighted and around off, Latham walks forward and pushes it back. It's a bit aerial but doesn't carry to the bowler.

1.5: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, Another sweep shot, this time conventional from Latham and he sends it to deep square leg for a couple.

1.4: Agha Salman to Devon Conway, Ouch, that would have hurt. Tossed up around off, Conway reverse-sweeps towards point where Abrar tries to stop but stretches a bit too much and seems to have hurt his groin. Nothing serious. They cross.

1.3: Agha Salman to Tom Latham, Fuller again around leg, Tom paddles it down to fine leg and the ball races away. Nauman gives the chase and stops it with his boot at the last moment. Saves one run.

1.2: Agha Salman to Devon Conway, Fuller and on off, swept through square leg for a single.

1.1: Agha Salman to Devon Conway, Beaten! Lovely bowling as the batter is defeated all ends up while looking to drive.

Tom Latham walks in as the normal opening pair is restored. Agha Salman to bowl from the opposite end.

0.6: Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, OUT! TIMBER! Smart bowling from Abrar Ahmed. He senses the charge and delivers a googly around leg. It's on the slower side and turns away a hint along with staying low. Michael Bracewell gives a premeditated charge, then gets into two minds. He tries to keep it away at the last moment but it's too late. The stumps are disturbed and New Zealand's idea to open with Bracewell flops. Will they still go after the target?

0.5: Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Full and pitching outside leg, Bracewell tries to flick but misses. They appeal but to no avail.

0.4: Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Flighted delivery, landing full around leg, Bracewell makes room as he advances down the track and lofts it over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

0.3: Abrar Ahmed to Devon Conway, Flatter through the air, full and on middle, Conway clips it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

0.2: Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, New Zealand are away! Loopy and full, around leg, Michael Bracewell walks forward and drives it to mid off for a single.

0.1: Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Fuller and quicker on leg, Bracewell works it off his pads to short leg.