Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd Test, WTC Table

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The second Test of the two-match series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle, between the Babar Azam-led Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Tim Southee-led New Zealand National Cricket Team ended in a draw.

The second Test of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand was played from January 2 to 6 at the National Stadium in Karachi. Notably, the first Test also ended in a draw at the same venue.

New Zealand National Cricket Team won the toss and elected to bat first in the match. Openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham showcased batting brilliance and had a 134- run stand. There were two more century partnerships in the innings as Devon Conway stitched together 100 runs with Kane Williamson and in the end, Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel added 104 runs for the final wicket.

Devon Conway (PC-AP)

In the first innings, New Zealand posted a huge total of 449 on the board with the help of Devon Conway’s brilliant century and Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, and Matt Henry’s incredible half-centuries. Abrar Ahmed was the top wicket-taker for the Babar Azam-led side with 4 wickets in his bag while Agha Salman and Naseem Shah picked up 3 wickets each.

Pakistan failed to take any lead in the first innings as they managed to post 408 on the board. Saud Shakeel registered his maiden Test ton and remained unbeaten while Imam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed scored amazing half-centuries. Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel picked up three wickets each for the Black Caps while Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Daryl Mitchell bagged one wicket each.

New Zealand Set A Target Of 319 For Pakistan

In the second innings, Tom Blundell and Michael Bracewell showcased a batting exhibition and scored 74 runs each while Tom Latham also scored good 62 runs as Tim Southee made a late declaration at 277/5 to set a target of 319 for Pakistan.

Chasing the target, Pakistan lost two quick wickets on 0. On the final day, Babar Azam and Shan Masood got the start, but they were unable to convert the good start into a good score, and Pakistan were reduced to 80/5.

After Pakistan lost half their side, Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed steadied the ship by stitching together remarkable 123 runs in 260 balls, before the former’s dismissal. First innings’ centurion Shakeel was trying to take the game deep and in the process, he got dismissed by Michael Bracewell for 146-ball 32.

The 35-year-old Sarfaraz Ahmed after registering scores of 53, 86, and 78 in the first three innings since his Test comeback, finally smashed a century off 135 balls. Sarfaraz kept batting cautiously and alongside Agha Salman, they added 70 runs in 83 balls.

In the end, Sarfaraz became Bracewell’s 4th wicket of the match. The former Pakistan captain scored 118 runs off 176 balls. Then, Naseem Shah smashed a few good boundaries and he alongside Abrar Ahmed remained unbeaten as the match got drawn. Pakistan posted 304/9 in 90 overs and they were just 15 runs away from winning.