Babar Azam knocked a fighting hundred and the recalled Sarfaraz Ahmed hit a half century to guide Pakistan to a healthy 317-5 on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Karachi on Monday.
The pair led Pakistan’s recovery from 110-4 during a 196-run fifth wicket stand, as the home team lost only Sarfaraz’s wicket in the last two sessions. New Zealand spinners had taken three early wickets on a spin-assisting National Stadium pitch and one before lunch but had to wait until the closing moments when Ajaz Patel got Sarfaraz caught in the slip for 86.
Also read: Babar Azam: It’s a new day, new team and new match
At close, Azam was unbeaten on 161 and Agha Salman on three. New Zealand will be ruing letting Azam off the hook when he was on just 12, after Daryl Mitchell spilled a regulation catch at slip off Bracewell.
Brief scores
Pakistan 317-5 (B Azam 161*, S Ahmed 86; M Bracewell 2-61, A Patel 2-91) v NZ
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