Twitter reactions: Pakistan survive as bad light causes dramatic draw in 1st test against New Zealand
The first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi witnessed a dramatic finish, with the hosts earning a draw on the final day due to poor lighting.
After Babar Azam’s daring move to call Pakistan’s second innings for 311/8 making New Zealand a target of 138, the tourists came out with all guns blazing, scoring 61/1 in 7.3 overs. Tom Latham was on a roll with a 24-ball 35-run knock with three fours and a six. However, poor lighting forced the match officials to tie both teams, which eased the Pakistani cricketers’ tense faces.
Earlier, Pakistan found firmness through Imam-ul-Haq, who brought up his sixth Test fifty to prop things up. He was well complimented by senior batsman Sarfaraz Ahmadwho came up with a counterattack to demonstrate his skills against the spider attack.
The duo then added 85 runs and looked good to cruise through before Is Sodi ran the game. The leggie broke the partnership by removing Sarfaraz for 53 and was soon sacked Agha Salman (6) as well as Imam to keep New Zealand’s hopes alive. Imam got out after scoring 96 off 206 balls, including 10 fours and a six.
Pakistan was indeed in trouble after the dismissal of the Imam, but Mohammed Wasim Jr and Saud Shakeel formed a brilliant 71-run partnership and kept the Black Caps bowlers at bay. Pakistan skipper Babar then surprised everyone when he declared the innings at 311/8, setting a target of 138 for New Zealand in 15 overs. Shakeel crushed an unbeaten 55 off 108 balls.
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Here’s how Twitter responded:
I think Babar knew the light wouldn’t stay long enough. So he probably thinks Pakistan is safe anyway
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2022
Pakistan ended 2022 without a single win at Home in Test cricket.
— Jans. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 30, 2022
Licht puts an early punch at 61/1 after 7.3 overs & after five days it’s a DRAW! #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/L0LlFgoHhN
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 30, 2022
Pakistan walked a fine line between looking aggressive and reckless. #PakvNZ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 30, 2022
Pakistan in friendlies at home this year
Draw
Lost
Lost
Lost
Lost
Draw
Draw#Cricket— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 30, 2022
Players shake hands as bad light brakes in Karachi. #PAKvNZ | #WTC23 | 📝 pic.twitter.com/he76XGOulS
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2022
After an exciting final session, the first Trial is drawn 🇵🇰🇳🇿#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/632a3vXyUz
— Pakistani Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2022
Saud Shakeel’s scores in tests:
37
76
63
94
23
53
22
55*Averaged 60 in test cricket!#PAKvNZ
— Haroon (@hazharoon) December 30, 2022
Saud Shakeel rises to the occasion again! pic.twitter.com/Bkn3dYQoGz
— … (@HBA_162) December 30, 2022
The last time Pakistan won a test match at home was on 8 February 2021 in Rawalpindi against South Africa.
Since then, in their previous seven Tests they have won nil, lost four and drawn three.#PakvNZ #PakvsNZ#NZvPAK— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 30, 2022
For those who suggested that Babar’s statement was at the inexplicably optimistic end of the cricket logic seesaw, there is a precedent of a Test team being knocked out in less than 15 overs. A precedent. 1924. https://t.co/Btl5UH8drz
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) December 30, 2022
Oh no!! The light meter went out and it was deemed too dark to continue – match ends in a draw
NZ may have wanted to continue a la England all those years ago#PAKvNZ
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 30, 2022
Match draw
Pakistan survives
NZ would have chased 138 in 15 https://t.co/vg7LXeF2AK— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) December 30, 2022
#Twitter #reactions #Pakistan #survive #bad #light #dramatic #draw #1st #test #Zealand
