PAK vs NZ: Sarfaraz and Saud brilliantly take Pakistan 179-5

• Pakistan lead second Test against New Zealand by 179 runs.
• Hosts need another 140 runs to win.
• Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi each take two wickets.

PAK vs NZ: Pakistan led the second Test in Karachi by 179-5 at tea on the fifth and final day. With at least 31 overs remaining in the play, the hosts need another 140 runs to win.

Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed batted excellently after lunch, as New Zealand went wicketless. Ahmed was unbeaten on 65 runs, while Shakeel had 27 runs.

.@SarfarazA_54 confidently battles on 🏏#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/M480HXBrlZ

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 6, 2023

Spinners Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi each claimed two wickets earlier in the morning session as New Zealand neared victory.

After an extended session because of Friday prayers, Pakistan, who was attempting to chase down 319, was 125-5 at lunch on the fifth and final day. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel were at the wickets on 29 and 16, respectively.

Pakistan can draw encouragement from their recent valiant effort to draw the opening Test, which was also played in Karachi, to maintain the two-match series.

Pakistan began the game two runs behind without scoring any runs, but before reaching three figures, Imam-ul-Haq (12), captain Babar Azam (27) and Shan Masood (35) were all lost.

Haq was bowled out by Sodhi’s reckless shot, which swung in and slammed onto the stumps.

Azam and Masood then put on 42 runs and appeared to be in good form when Bracewell entered the fray.

He first dismissed Azam with a crisp turning delivery that was edged to wicketkeeper Tom Latham, while Masood miscued a lofted drive and was beautifully collected at mid-off by Kane Williamson.

Sodhi has a figure of 2-23, while Bracewell has a figure of 2-28.

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