PAK vs NZ, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s red-hot run continued with a sensational century to enable Pakistan to scrape out a tie in the second and final Test against New Zealand. Sarfaraz, 35, who had half-centuries in his previous three innings after being reinstated for the series after a near-four-year hiatus, hit 118 before Pakistan’s last-wicket partnership clung on for 21 balls in weak light to leave Pakistan on 9-304.
PAK vs NZ, 2nd test Drawn in Dramatic Way
On Friday evening, the hosts were just 15 runs away from a historic victory, while New Zealand was left even more upset when poor light forced a stop to play. The two-Test series finished in a draw, but the last day of the decider made for riveting watching. The visitors had taken seven wickets on Friday and were one wicket away from forcing a victory when play was called off with just three overs remaining.
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After the Black Caps had reduced Pakistan to 5-80 before lunch due to Michael Bracewell (4-75) capturing two wickets in six deliveries, Sarfaraz was Pakistan’s hero, staying steady for four fours 48 minutes and contributing in a second straight century partnership with Saud Shakeel (32).
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Sarfaraz and Shakeel resisted New Zealand for over three hours until Shakeel was caught in the slips by Daryl Mitchell with a magnificent reflex catch early in the final session. Agha Salman scored a quick 30 but was clean bowled by Matt Henry before New Zealand struck again with the second new ball as the light faded.
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Tim Southee caught Hasan Ali’s leg before wicket, then Kane Williamson beautifully caught Sarfaraz low at leg slip off Bracewell’s fast off-spin, and the Pakistan batsman went off to a standing ovation from the tiny audience at the National Stadium. With all 10 fielders around the bat, No.10 Naseem Shah and No.11 Abrar Ahmed held out against Bracewell and fellow spinner Ish Sodhi (2-59), until poor light terminated play with three overs remaining.
Dream return for him” stated captain Babar Azam of Safaraz’s valor. In four years, Sarfaraz did not let the fire die inside him. His work ethic was always there, and he patiently waited his time.” It came down to the wire, amazing finale to 10 days of fairly heavy toil,” New Zealand captain Southee said. We knew from the nature of the surface that anything may happen late in the Test but Sarfaraz was definitely the difference.
We could have won if we had gotten him sooner.” When 140 runs were left in the last session, the management stated that you need to keep attempting to score when the ball is available to smash,” Sarfaraz, who hammered nine fours and a six in his first Test century since reaching 112 against New Zealand in Dubai in 2014. If those two wickets hadn’t fallen, the outcome could’ve been different.”