Sarfaraz Ahmed has continued his red-hot kind with an exhilarating century to assist Pakistan eke out a attract a nail-biting second and last Test in opposition to New Zealand.
The 35-year-old Sarfaraz, who additionally struck half-centuries in his three earlier innings after being recalled for the collection following a near-four 12 months absence, made 118 earlier than Pakistan’s last-wicket pair held on in dimming mild for 21 balls to depart Pakistan on 9-304.
It took the hosts simply 15 runs away from a well-known win on Friday night, whereas New Zealand had been left much more pissed off when unhealthy mild referred to as a halt to proceedings.
It meant the two-Test collection led to a winless stalemate, however the last day of the decider made for compelling viewing.
The guests had taken seven wickets on Friday and had been inside another scalp of forcing a win when play was ended.
Sarfaraz was Pakistan’s hero, standing agency for 4 fours 48 minutes and that includes in a second successive century stand with Saud Shakeel (32) after the Black Caps had lowered Pakistan to 5-80 earlier than lunch because of Michael Bracewell (4-75) claiming two wickets in six deliveries.
Sarfaraz and Shakeel defied New Zealand for almost three hours earlier than Shakeel fell to an excellent reflex catch within the slips by Daryl Mitchell early within the last session.
Agha Salman made a brisk 30 however was clear bowled by Matt Henry earlier than New Zealand struck twice with the second new ball underneath fading mild.
Hasan Ali was trapped leg earlier than wicket by Tim Southee and Sarfaraz was fantastically snapped up by Kane Williamson low at leg slip off Bracewell’s sharp off-spin, and the Pakistan batter walked off to a standing ovation from the sparse crowd on the National Stadium.
No.10 Naseem Shah and No.11 Abrar Ahmed then held out in opposition to Bracewell and fellow spinner Ish Sodhi (2-59), with all 10 fielders across the bat, earlier than unhealthy mild ended play with three overs left.
“Dream comeback for him,” captain Babar Azam stated of Safaraz’s heroics.
“Sarfaraz did not let the fire die within him in four years. His work ethic was always there and he continued to wait for his turn.”
“Came down to the last moments, great end to 10 days of pretty tough toil,” stated New Zealand captain Southee.
“We knew from the nature of the surface that things could happen late in the Test but Sarfaraz was probably the difference. We could’ve won had we got him earlier.”
Sarfaraz, who hit 9 fours and a six in his first Test century since making 112 in opposition to New Zealand in Dubai in 2014, stated: “When 140 runs were left in the final session, the management said that you need to keep trying to score when the ball is there to hit.
“If these two wickets did not fall then the consequence may’ve been one thing else.”
With Reuters
