Sports Report
KARACHI: Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam hit his 9th hundred, and wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed returned to the test squad after nearly four years with an impressive 86 runs as Pakistan overcame a top-order collapse to reach 317-5 against New Zealand on Monday in the first Test at Karachi Cricket Stadium.
At the stumps of day one of the Karachi test, Babar Azam was not out on 161 with one six and 16 fours, and Sarfaraz Ahmed grinded well in his 50th Test to give Pakistan an early advantage on a slow and dry wicket.
Both the batters shared a 196-run stand to lift Pakistan from 110-4 before Ajaz Patel (2-91) broke through late in the final session on Day 1 and had Sarfaraz caught in the slip with the second new ball.
Pak vs NZ first test match
Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam had won the toss and decided to bat against the tourist side, New Zealand. During the toss, Babar Azam confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed had replaced Mohammad Rizwan as wicketkeeper in the playing XI. At the same time, Mir Hamza, who was added to the squad before the first Test, also returns to the Test side, having made his debut in 2018.
Pakistan squad:
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed.
