Staff report
KARACHI: New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat in the second Test of the two-match series against Pakistan at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
The visitors made one change to their playing XI from the first Match, bringing in right-arm quick Matt Henry in place of left-arm pacer Neil Wagner. It would be Henry’s third Test match in Asia, and his first after a long time since New Zealand’s tour of India in 2016.
Wagner, who bowled 21 overs in the first innings and three in the second, clinched only a single wicket in the first Test.
Meanwhile, the home team made two changes to their team, replacing Mohammad Wasim and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali with fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah. Wasim had taken one wicket in 25.3 overs in the first match, while Ali grabbed three wickets in 63 overs.
Pakistan’s bid to start new year with a test victory at home
The first match had ended in a draw, and not on a positive note for Pakistan, who could not achieve a test victory at home in 2022.
Skipper Babar Azam made a surprise declaration late on the final day of first match, setting the black caps a target of 138 in 15 overs. The visitors scored 61 for 1 in 7.3 overs before the match ended amid bad light.
New Zealand is playing its first Test series in Pakistan in 20 years.
