Karachi (TIP)- The opening Test between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi ended in a draw. It meant that Pakistan stayed winless in their last seven Test matches at home.
At Stumps on Day 4, the match was poised for a stalemate. Imam-ul-Haq scored 96 as Pakistan declared their second innings at 311 for the loss of eight wickets. The left-hander failed to read a googly from Ish Sodhi, who got the batter out stumped after beating him all ends up. Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed were also impressive, having scored 55 and 53 respectively. Mohammad Wasim Jr added 43 runs and was also involved in a 71-run stand with Shakeel. Agha Salman, who scored a hundred in the first innings, fell cheaply.
Sodhi was the pick of the bowlers for the Black Caps as he finished with stupendous figures of 37-11-86-6. Michael Bracewell picked up two wickets as well.
Babar Azam took a brave call of declaring their second innings and setting New Zealand a target of 138 runs with 15 overs left. In their run-chase, the Kiwis came out all guns blazing and tried to give Pakistan a run for their money. The visiting team lost the early wicket of Bracewell as Abrar Ahmed rattled his woodwork.
However, Devon Conway and Tom Latham threw their bats around to give New Zealand some hope. The duo put on an unbeaten partnership of 52 runs off 6.3 overs, but bad light stopped play once and for all.
The Kiwis finished their innings at 61 for the loss of one wicket in 7.3 overs.
The second Test is scheduled to get underway on Monday, January 2 at the National Stadium in Karachi.