KARACHI: Pakistan saved a fifth consecutive defeat at home with a hard-fought draw in the first Test in Karachi Friday
Pakistan fought on before declaring their second innings on 311-8 and set 138 runs to chase in remaining 15 overs of the day.
A leg spinner, Ish Sodhi performed career-best bowling figures from Kivi’s side as he grabbed 6-86 and threatened to give New Zealand victory in the first two sessions on the fifth and final day.
The chase ended in fading light on 61-1, with Tom Latham unbeaten on 35 and Devon Conway 18. Michael Bracewell was the only wicket to fall for three.
After a fascinating final session, the first Test is drawn
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2022#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/632a3vXyUz
Ish turned the match in New Zealand’s favour with three wickets in the second session to leave Pakistan on 249-7 at tea with 35 overs left in the match.
But Saud Shakeel, who ended with 55 not out, and Mohammad Wasim (43) defied for 75 minutes and 111 balls during their 71-run eighth wicket stand to deprive New Zealand of a win.
Soon after tea, Sodhi trapped Wasim leg-before, but Mir Hamza (three not out) assisted Shakeel in a ninth-wicket unbroken stand of 34 runs in 50 minutes to further frustrate the visitors.
BOWLED 'IM
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2022
Abrar with the first-over wicket#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/blazE3ogTe
Shakeel, who hit seven boundaries and a six, built on after fighting knocks from Imam-ul-Haq (96) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (53) in the first two sessions.
In the post-lunch session, Sodhi dismissed Sarfaraz, Agha Salman (six) and Haq in the space of 27 balls for the addition of just 21 runs.
Haq and Sarfaraz had added a defiant 85 runs for the fifth wicket and raised hopes of salvaging a draw for the home team before Sodhi struck.
A brilliant 8⃣th wicket stand between @saudshak and @Wasim_Jnr
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2022#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/lL6RYWHbLG
Haq, who survived lbw referrals off the bowler on 58 and 74, cracked 10 boundaries and a six in his sixth half-century, while Sarfaraz had seven hits to the rope.
Earlier today, Pakistan resuming on 77-2, Pakistan lost night watchman Nauman Ali early, trapped leg-before by spinner Bracewell.
Then skipper Babar Azam — who scored 161 in Pakistan’s first innings of 438 — was out the same way to Sodhi for 14.
The post Pak Staved Off Straight 5 Test Matches Defeat As 1st Test Against Kivi’s Ended In Draw appeared first on Karachi News.
