- Dec 2, 2024
- Jun 14, 2023
Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam surprised one and all after he decided to declare the innings at 311/8 with 1 hour more left to be played in the Test match. New Zealand were set a target of 138 runs in 15 overs to win the Test match. Much to the delight of the Pakistan fans, Abrar Ahmed sent M Bracewell (3 off 5) back to the out in the very first over of the innings.
However, Tom Latham and Devon Conway then joined hands and switched gears. The duo found boundaries at regular intervals and had scored 59 runs in 7 overs without any further loss of wickets.
The fans were enjoying the game and it looked like the result could be possible. However, unfortunately, on the third ball of the 8th over, umpires called it a day due to bad light, resulting the game in a draw.
Throughout the first four days of the Test match, the batters dominated the Test match. It was Babar Azam’s knock of 161 runs in 280 balls, which hogged the headlines on the first couple of days. His knock helped the team reach a big score of 438 runs in the first innings. Agha Salman also played brilliantly as he notched his maiden Test century.
Sarfaraz Ahmed announced his return to Test cricket as he played a valuable knock of 86 runs in 154 balls. New Zealand produced an even better performance with the bat as they notched a big score of 612 runs in the second innings.
Tom Latham set the tone with a 113-run knock in 191 balls, including 10 fours. However, it was Kane Williamson, who played an outstanding knock of 200 runs in 395 balls, a knock which was laced with 21 fours and 1 six.
The likes of Daryl Mitchell ( 42 off 47), Tom Blundell (47) and Ish Sodhi (65) also made handy contributions with the bat. Isha Sodhi then ran through Pakistan’s batting unit in their second innings as he picked his maiden five-wicket haul in Test Cricket but still Pakistan managed to score 311 runs before Babar Azam decided to declare the innings.
Twitter has been abuzz. Here’s a look at some of the reactions:
https://twitter.com/AvinashArya09/status/1608800720513544192
https://twitter.com/AvinashArya09/status/1608757777589235712
https://twitter.com/TasneemKhatai/status/1608804068268593152
Why they were too happy? #PAKvsNZ #PCB #Pakistan #SaudShakeel pic.twitter.com/SiEjZk9Mgb
— muzamilasif (@muzamilasif4) December 30, 2022
Babar Azam when he saw NZ scoring at 9 RR#PakvsNZ pic.twitter.com/VlMIkVWOAX
— Joy Boy 🏏 (@TweetECricket) December 30, 2022
Well Played Aleem Dar 🥰
Man Single Handedly Saved PCT's Ass & Babar's Captaincy 🥵#PakvsNZ pic.twitter.com/utaYKQpDhn— Mizaan. (@DarkRoIe) December 30, 2022
A Bola declaration from King Babar Azam meant New Zealand needed 138 in 15 overs in the final hour of the Test 😮🔥❤️
But bad light stopped play in Karachi. The match ends in a draw! 🤝
This decision made the Test match exciting 💚#PakvsNZ pic.twitter.com/l0PtvFxpfo— Nouman Tariq (@Nomi_aadeez) December 30, 2022
Babar Azam Test runs in winning cause (Home) – 0#PakvsNZ pic.twitter.com/cAvHvPb6nr
— Abhishek Jaswal (@Radiator187) December 30, 2022
Saud Shakeel impressive again. Very confident in his game and has looked unflustered every time he’s come to the crease #PakvsNZ
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) December 30, 2022
Star of the Day ❤️😂#PakvsNZ #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/e5ppryT3i9
— TALHA RASHID ❤️🇵🇰 (@TalhaRashid004) December 30, 2022
•Bad light saved Pakistan, but Babar Azam felt like H£Ll for 7.3 overs.
•Never try to be oversmart Babar Azam You are a zimbu Always remember this .👍#PakvsNZ pic.twitter.com/g9vOH80ORm— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) December 30, 2022