Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed flatten New Zealand on Day 1 – PAK vs NZ, 1st Test

Captain of Pakistan Babar Azam scored his ninth Test century and came on 161 at the end of the first matchday in the series opener against New Zealand to take the host team to 317/5.

Sarfaraz Ahmad, who was making his 50th Test appearance and first at home, contributed 86 runs from 153 balls. Ahmed and Babar shared a partnership of 196 runs for the fifth wicket, which took 56.3 overs to put Pakistan in a strong position.

Despite using three spinners, New Zealand was unable to control runflow effectively, with economic rates ranging from 3.4 to 4.9. Sarfaraz was sacked in the 86th over, caught by Patel at first slip, ending the partnership with Babar.

Babar narrowly avoided being handed lbw off Patel’s bowling late in the day, but successfully challenged the decision, not being out on 161 at stumps, with Agha Salman out of three.

This is how Twitter responded:

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Satisfied with Pakistan’s performance today, great comeback after losing early wickets. Special credit to Babar for another excellent innings. Sarfaraz proved his selection well, excellent performance for him under pressure.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 26, 2022

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Special innings 🙌

©️aptain @babarasam258 marches on 💪#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/lxr1dw2Vf3

— Pakistani Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 26, 2022

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Silky smooth according to… @babarasam258 #number nine 👏👌🇵🇰 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/LJKvMRj6AD

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) December 26, 2022

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Top class hundred through @babarasam258 . 👏👏👏

— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) December 26, 2022

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Great fight back from team Pakistan.
Another day another Hundred @babarasam258 ⭐️
What a special comeback @SarfarazA_54 Saifi bhai❤️ pic.twitter.com/TXrW9ax2TU

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) December 26, 2022

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Captain and skipper ♥️♥️. @SarfarazA_54 and @babarasam258 pic.twitter.com/5jB6hPuRta

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) December 26, 2022

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Class apart, Captain @babarasam258!

Enjoyed every bit of it.#PAKvNZ

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) December 26, 2022

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Fantastic Century by Captain Babar Azam!
Where others failed, he delivered for Pakistan 👏#PAKvsNZ @babarasam258

— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) December 26, 2022

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What a player @babarasam258 💯
Incredible 2022 in test cricket, a privilege to watch! #PAKvNZ

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 26, 2022

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Babar Azam and a 100 in NSK!
5th international century for the KING at the locationpic.twitter.com/AsQHGcZfh5

— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) December 26, 2022

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Babar Azam #9👍🏼👍🏼.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 26, 2022

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Star of the day – Babar Azam.

Pakistan was 48 for 3, then captain Babar led from the front, 161* off 277 balls including 15 fours and 1 six during day 1 stumps. pic.twitter.com/1QHl4pxX51

— Jans. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2022

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Another 100 ahead @babarasam258 – this one came under pressure, more so with people shooting at him #PakvsNZ #Babar

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 26, 2022

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#KingBabar👑 hits another impressive Test💯 @BLACKCAPS this time💛⚡️

✅Leading Run Scorer in Tests in 2022
✅Most 50+ scores in a calendar year as captain #BabarAzam𓃵 #Salmi #YellowStorm #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/UCPwO5Pr06

— Peshawar Zalmi (@Peshawar Zalmi) December 26, 2022