Devon Conway and Tom Latham have solid an unbroken opening partnership of 165 to guide New Zealand’s strong reply to Pakistan’s first-innings 438 within the opening Test in Karachi.
Conway ended Tuesday unbeaten on 82 having accomplished 1000 Test runs in 19 innings, the quickest by a New Zealand batsman.
Latham was on 78no, with New Zealand, who scored at three-and-a-half runs an over, ending day two 273 behind.
After Pakistan resumed on 5-317, dwelling captain Babar Azam fell within the first over however the decrease order resisted strongly, led by Agha Salman’s maiden check hundred.
Babar couldn’t add to his in a single day rating of 161 and was caught behind off the bowling of Tim Southee.
But the collapse New Zealand have been hoping for didn’t materialise.
Batting with the tailenders, Agha cleverly rotated the strike and introduced up his hundred with back-to-back fours off spinner Ish Sodhi (2-87).
Agha, who ended on 103, was the final Pakistan wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Southee (3-69) after attempting to hit the bowler over midwicket.
Conway and Latham denied Pakistan an early breakthrough and shared a century stand earlier than the house aspect managed to create a possibility.
Conway was on 57 when he tried to chop left-arm spinner Nauman Ali (0-37). Pakistan’s half-hearted enchantment for caught-behind was turned down.
Nauman regarded satisfied Conway had edged the ball – and replays later confirmed it – however Babar, who was standing within the slips, selected to not evaluate the choice.
Conway and Latham had little problem coping with younger Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed (0-57), who had claimed 17 wickets in two matches in his debut sequence in opposition to England this month.
Babar himself bowled three overs however his part-time off-spin did not make a breakthrough.
