PAK vs NZ: Pakistan survived home defeat by drawing first Test

• Pakistan declare 2nd innings on 311-8 after being set tough target.
• Saud Shakeel and Wasim defy Kiwis with 71-run eighth wicket stand.
• Imam-ul-Haq hits 96 and Sarfaraz Ahmed makes 53 for Pakistan.

Pakistan avoided suffering its sixth straight home loss with a spirited draw. Despite Ish Sodhi, a New Zealand leg-spinner, posting career-best bowling statistics in the first Test in Karachi on Friday.

On the fifth and final day, Sodhi took 6-86 and nearly gave New Zealand the victory in the first two sessions, but Pakistan came back and declared their second innings at 311-8.

With Tom Latham undefeated on 35 and Devon Conway 18 at the end of the chase, New Zealand was set a challenging target of 138 to win in 15 overs.

One wicket only fell for three, and that was Michael Bracewell.

The game’s standout performer was Sodhi, who surpassed his previous high of 4-60 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo four years prior.

With 35 overs remaining in the contest, the 30-year-old, who was taking part in his first Test match in four years, helped New Zealand win the game by taking three wickets in the second session of play. This left Pakistan on 249-7 at tea.

However, a 71-run eighth wicket stand between Mohammad Wasim (43) and Saud Shakeel, who finished with 55 not out, held out for 75 minutes and 111 balls to deny New Zealand a victory.

Soon after tea, Sodhi caught Wasim leg-before, but Mir Hamza (three not out) helped Shakeel in a ninth-wicket unbroken stand of 34 runs in 50 minutes, frustrating the visitors even more.

After surviving blows from Imam-ul-Haq (96) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (53), Shakeel, who hit seven boundaries and a six, continued after the first two sessions.

Sodhi dismissed Sarfaraz, Agha Salman (six), and Haq in the post-lunch session in a span of 27 balls for just 21 more runs.

After a fascinating final session, the first Test is drawn 🇵🇰🇳🇿#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/632a3vXyUz

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— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2022

Before Sodhi struck, Haq and Sarfaraz had stubbornly put up 85 runs for the fifth wicket, restoring home team hopes of rescuing a draw.

He bowled Salman, then got Haq stumped to leave Pakistan on 206-7 after having Sarfaraz caught behind.

In his sixth half-century, Haq, who overcame lbw appeals from the bowler at 58 and 74, smashed 10 boundaries and a six, while Sarfaraz had seven knocks to the rope.

Haq destroyed a chair with his bat on the way to the dressing room because he was so furious at being fired.

Pakistan lost nightwatchman Nauman Ali early after resuming on 77-2 after spinner Bracewell trapped him leg-before.

Then captain Babar Azam, who had contributed 161 to Pakistan’s first innings total of 438, was dismissed for 14 by Sodhi in the same manner.

On Monday, the second Test will begin there.

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