Pakistan was playing second test of two test match cricket series against New Zealand, as part of New Zealand tour of Pakistan. The second test ended today with no result as Pakistan was playing their second innings on 304 runs for the loss of nine wicket. They needed total 319 total runs to win. Which means Pakistan needed just 15 more runs and New Zealand needed just 1 more wicket. However, bad light clause kicked in and due to bad light empires decided the play of fifth and the final day cannot go further. So match was drawn between Pakistan and the New Zealand. This meant the test series was also drawn between Pakistan and New Zealand, as both the test between the two are drawn.
As the play for the fifth and the final day started, Pakistan had already lost two of its batters, without scoring anything. Pakistan needed to score 319 runs to win the match and New Zealand needed 8 wickets. But ultimately, Pakistan have scored just 304 runs and New Zealand took only 7 more wickets, before the match ended in draw.
In Pakistan’s second innings, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s 118 runs hugely contributed and saved Pakistan from a loss. As after Sarfaraz the top scorer was Shan Masood, he scored just 35. Saud shakeel scored 32, he supported Sarfaraz for long time on the other end. After him came Agha Salman, he scored 30 and supported Sarfaraz on other end after Saud Shakeel on the other end. Captain Babar Azam scored 27 runs, Naseem Shah contributed 15 runs and Imam ul Haq contributed 12 to the Pakistan’s second innings score. Abrar Ahmed scored 7. At the end Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed were at the crease, not out.
From New Zealand side Michael Bracewell took 4 wickets. Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi took two wickets each, Matt Henry took 1. Ajaz Patel bowled 7 overs and Daryl Mitchell bowled 4 overs, both of them did not took any wickets.
Until the very end of match, the situation was very tense, any team would have won the match. New Zealand needed wickets, which they were getting and Pakistan needed runs, which they were getting. But with just three overs in game remaining when the light situation kicked in, it was sigh of relief for many. Also, for Pakistan Sarfaraz Ahmed’s 118 runs were match saver. If they would have been any less, Pakistan would have been in much trouble.
Match Summary
Yesterday, when New Zealand declared their innings and given Pakistan the chance to bat final innings, they were were determined to win the match after taking all the wickets. As they had took first two yesterday before Pakistan scored any runs. However, Pakistan resisted well and played through the day five as Pakistan had played through the day three of this same match. So along with taking runs, it was all about survival for Pakistan.