‘End this torture’- Twitter bored as Pak- NZ second Test heads towards back-to-back draw due to batting friendly pitch
Pakistan will continue their first innings batting on Day 4.
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Jan 4, 2023 9:04 pm
Pakistan vs New Zealand (Image source: Twitter)
Pakistan are going through a tough phase at the moment. Their 2022 was a heartbreaking one as they lost in the Asia Cup 2022 Final as well as the 20-20 World Cup Final.
To top their unremarkable year they invited the England Test team after a gap of 17 years and got whitewashed in a 3-match Test series. Furthermore, they have also been criticised for making batting-friendly pitches.
Currently, the Babar Azam-led side are playing a 2-match Test series against New Zealand and the pitch problems still persist. The first Test was drawn due to batters prevailing over the bowlers and the second one seems to have taken the same route.
At the end of Day 3, Pakistan are batting at 407/9 chasing a target of 449 by New Zealand in the first innings. Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel is playing at 124 off 336 balls with a strike rate of 36.90. Sarfaraz Ahmed played a knock of 78 off 109 whereas Agha Salman also played a significant knock of 41 off 78 deliveries.
The lower order could not contribute much as Hasan Ali (4), Naseem Shah (4), and Mir Hamza (0) got out quite cheaply. Currently, Abrar Ahmed (0) is playing with Shakeel at the end of Day 3 and the game is all set to head towards a draw with just two days remaining.
As for New Zealand bowlers, they did a decent job of getting wickets at the end of the day and nearing Pakistan to an end. Ajaz Patel with 3 wickets in 17 overs was the highest wicket-taker from the Kiwi side. Ish Sodhi took two as well.
Let's appreciate Saud on his well deserved maiden 💯 !!! But don't forget to appreciate the applauses & support he received from the dressing room. #SAUDShakeel#PakvsNZ
Congrats Saud on a well-deserved maiden Test 100. You batted sensibly & elegantly. Well played Imam & Sarfaraz, both deserved 100s. I am confident our bowlers will will exploit the conditions and give our batters a chance to chase down the target. Exciting finish on the cards! https://t.co/aAgXik2gBh
Saw every ball today. He just didn't put bat to pacers. Kept leaving even after century, he played about 7,8 maidan overs of D Mitchells. Played in the hands of Kiwis. For over an hour, c'tators had nothing but to talk about this slow batting. #PAKvNZ#PakvsNz#TayyariKiwiHai
