the KARACHI: On the third day of the second Test against New Zealand, Pakistan was 337-5 at tea on Wednesday thanks to Saud Shakeel’s first century.
The home team is currently 112 runs behind New Zealand’s 449-run first-innings total and will try to take the contest by storm on the ground at National Stadium which is still suitable for batting.
“After 319 minutes of resolute batting, Shakeel finally reached his three-figure milestone. He accomplished this by sweeping spinner Michael Bracewell for a boundary and then taking a quick single.”
At the break, Agha Salman was on four, while the 27-year-old was on 101. After reaching his third successive half-century of the series, Sarfaraz Ahmed was stumped on 78 in the penultimate over before the break.
Haq serves as Pakistan’s fulcrum after New Zealand scores 449 in the second Test.
“After Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for 83 runs in the first session, Shakeel and Sarfaraz contributed 150 runs for the fifth wicket. This helped sustain the innings.”
“Shakeel Hits 14 Boundaries, Sarfaraz Hits 10 Ropes and Survives Leg-Before Decision Before Being Dismissed”
When Pakistan started on 154-3, Tim Southee’s quick bowling was intercepted by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
“Haq reaches 74 overnight after running out Captain Babar Azam, but is dismissed in the second hour of session.”
“He won a drive to Blundell. However, it took New Zealand contesting the rejected appeal before he was declared the winner.”
Haq scored 244 runs during which he hit ten boundaries and a six.
“The two-game series is now knotted after the first Test, which was also played in Karachi, concluded in a draw.“