Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam scored his ninth Test century and remained not out on 161 at the end of the first day’s play in the series opener against New Zealand, helping the host team reach 317/5.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, making his 50th Test appearance and firs꧒t at home, contributed 86 runs off 153 balls. Ahmed and Babar shared a 196-run partnership for the fifꦿth wicket, which lasted 56.3 overs and put Pakistan in a strong position.
Despite using three spinners, New Zealand was unable to effectively control the run flow, with economy rates ranging from 3.4 to 4.9. Sar𓄧faraz was dismissed in the 86th over, caught by Patel at first slip, ending the partnership with Babar.
Babar narrowly avoided being given out lbw off Patel’s bowling late in the day, but successfully challenged the decision and remained not out on 161 at stumps, with Agha Salman on three not out.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Pleased with Pakistan's performance today, great comeback after the early loss of wickets. Special praise for Babar for another outstanding innings. Sarfaraz proved his selection right, excellent performance for him under pressure.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial)
Special innings 🙌
©️aptain marches on 💪 |
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB)
//twitter.com/Stee꧟🎀lyDan66/status/1607308402958700545
Top class hundred by . 👏👏👏
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt)
Great fight back from team Pakistan.
Another day another Hundred ⭐️
What a special comeback Saifi bhai❤️— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive)
Kaptaan and skipper ♥️♥️. and
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan)
//twitter.com/iShaheenAfridi/status/16073093༒90993833984
Fantastic century by captain Babar Azam!
When others failed, he delivered for Pakistan 👏— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta)
What a player 💯
Incꦅredible 2022 in test cricket, privilege to watch!— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket)
Babar Azam and a 100 in NSK!
5th international century for the KING aꦚt the venue— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81)
Babar Azam #9👍🏼👍🏼.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
Star of the day – Babar Azam.
Pakistan was 48 for 3 then captain Babar led from the front, 161* from 277 balls including 15 fours & 1 six 🌠during day 1 stumps.🌊
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Another 100 for – this one came under pressure, more so with people gunning for him
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
♊👑 hits another impressive Test💯 against this ti🔯me💛⚡️
✅Leading Run-Scorer in Tests in 2022
✅Most 50🍃+ scores in a calendar year as Captain— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi)
