• Babar Azam scores unbeaten 161 as Pakistan reach 317-5 on day one of the first test.
• Agha Salman remains unbeaten on three at stumps on opening day in Karachi.
• Sarfaraz Ahmed scores 86 in his first test since taking Mohammad Rizwan’s place.

On the first day of the first test against New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium on Monday, captain Babar Azam smashed an unbeaten 161, helping Pakistan overcome a shaky beginning to reach 317-5.

Agha Salman remained unbeaten on three at stumps as New Zealand failed to take advantage of a promising start with the ball. Babar rode his luck in a 277-ball knock that had 15 fours and a stunning six to bring up his century.

Babar chose to bat first, and the touring team quickly took two wickets by stumpings to start the first test in Pakistan in 20 years. Ajaz Patel removed Abdullah Shafique for seven, while spin partner Michael Bracewell removed Shan Masood for three.

Bracewell had a chance to take out Babar in the 15th over, but Daryl Mitchell blew a straightforward opportunity at first slip. However, three deliveries later, the bowler managed to catch Imam-ul-Haq for 24 at mid-off.

When Saud Shakeel (22) edged one to Henry Nicholls at gully just before lunch, Tim Southee of New Zealand reduced Pakistan to 110-4 after they had recovered from the early blows as Babar achieved his half-century.

After the break, though, Babar maintained his heroics, scoring his tenth test century alongside Sarfaraz Ahmed, who scored 86 in his first test since 2019 after taking Mohammad Rizwan’s place as the wicketkeeper.

Prior to Patel’s dismissal of the former captain shortly before the end of the innings, Babar and Sarfaraz had a strong 196-run partnership.

Due to security concerns, New Zealand postponed their white-ball trip of Pakistan last year. With Southee as their new captain after Kane Williamson’s six-year reign, they are now hoping to snap a four-match losing streak in test matches.

In the two-test series against the New Zealanders, Pakistan is attempting to shake off a similar slump that included a 3-0 home series loss against England.

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