KARACHI:  Pakistan on Tuesday were bowled out for 438 after late middle order batter Agha Salman completed his century ton in their first innings of first Test against New Zealand.

The Kiwi bowlers were good enough on Tuesday morning to take key wickets – that of captain Babar Azam being on top, who thundered with bat after thrashing a magnificent 161.

Azam built a pivotal middle order partnership with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is making comeback to Test cricket after a long time. Sarfaraz lit up his comeback with a well constructed 86.

Skipper Babar Azam fell in the first over of the day without adding to his overnight score of 161. For New Zealand, fast bowler Tim Southee took 3-69, completing 350 Test wickets in his 89th Test. Pakistan batted slowly to reach 377-8 at lunch after losing Azam in the first over of the day when fast bowler Tim Southee forced an edge to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. He struck 16 boundaries and a six in his 365-minute knock. Pakistan also lost Nauman Ali (seven) and Mohammad Wasim (two) in the first session, which produced just 60 runs.

Pacer Neil Wagner had Nauman caught off a short-pitched delivery before Wasim was caught behind off spinner Ish Sodhi. Southee (2-58), Michael Bracewell (2-72) and Ajaz Patel (2-111) were the main wicket-takers for New Zealand.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 28 2022

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