PAK vs NZ 1st Test Live Score | Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Score 1st test 2022/3

Pakistan captain Babar Azam hit his ninth Test century, his third in Karachi, on day one of the series opener against New Zealand on Monday.

Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 86 in his 50th Test and first at home. Ahmed, who replaced Mohammad Rizwan after four years, established a 196-run fifth-wicket partnership with Babar, demoralising New Zealand.

New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee deployed left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel in the fourth over of the day. Abdullah Shafique was stumped by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for seven.

Three overs later, Shan Masood was stumped by Blundell off Michael Bracewell’s off-spin.

Bracewell subsequently dismissed Imam-ul-Haq, giving New Zealand a superb start to the Test match and series on a flat pitch.

Bracewell could have gotten Azam out in the 15th over if Daryl Mitchell caught a legitimate catch at first slip.

Babar then put Pakistan over 100 with Saud Shakeel. The latter fell for 22 at lunch, giving Southee a catch. Babar and Sarfaraz, batting in Tests for the first time since January 2019, formed a massive partnership.

Babar got his century after hitting a six over deep midwicket against Bracewell. He and Sarfaraz got most of their runs through the leg-side, but the latter was injured.

Patel, Bracewell, and Ish Sodhi, New Zealand’s spinners, had economy rates between 3.4 and 4.9. Sarfaraz edged Patel to first slip in the 86th over after New Zealand took the new ball, ending his partnership with Babar.

Babar survived a lbw verdict six balls before stumps after reviewing Patel’s delivery and seeing it bounce over the stumps. He was undefeated on 161 at stumps, with Agha Salman on 3.

Babar Azam 161 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 86, Michael Bracewell 2/61, Ajaz Patel 2/91.