The offspin of Agha Salman has led a Pakistani fightback after Devon Conway’s fourth Test century had appeared to place New Zealand in management on the opening day of the second Test in Karachi.
New Zealand had been cruising at 1-234 on the again of Conway’s 122 earlier than Salman picked up 3-55 and the Black Caps completed the day at 6-309.
Tom Blundell was not out on 30 whereas Ish Sodhi, who made a career-best 65 within the drawn first check, was unbeaten on 11.
Conway had century stands with Tom Latham (71) and Kane Williamson (36) as New Zealand dominated the opening two classes after Tim Southee received the toss and elected to bat.
But they misplaced 5 wickets for 45 runs after tea as Salman pegged again New Zealand again on a wicket that had sufficient grass to tempt Pakistan to go together with three quick bowlers — Mir Hamza, recalled Hasan Ali and fit-again Naseem Shah — and only one specialist spinner Abrar Ahmed.
“The surface (pitch) certainly got a little bit drier which offered a little bit more spin for the turners,” Conway stated.
“The game is certainly evenly poised, we did win those first two sessions, but the way Pakistan have bounced back in that last session certainly brought them back in the game.”
Salman ignited the collapse when he discovered the skin fringe of Conway’s bat to finish his 191-ball innings. In a 12-over spell after tea he then hit the off stump of Daryl Mitchell (3) along with his turning supply earlier than efficiently overturning a caught behind choice by TV referral towards Henry Nicholls (26).
“I knew there could be a responsibility on me as a second spinner for which I was ready,” Salman stated.
“The wicket had a bite (for spinners) after tea as it got dried up and it troubled them.”
Earlier, Conway and Latham contributed a second successive century opening stand within the two-match sequence earlier than Naseem Shah (2-44) introduced the lone success within the first two classes when he had Latham trapped leg earlier than.
Naseem was rewarded for his reverse swing when he additionally discovered the skin fringe of Williamson’s bat and was brilliantly snapped by diving Sarfaraz Ahmed in entrance of first slip quickly after Salman had dismissed Conway.
