Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam scored his ninth Test century and remained not out on 161 at the end of the first day’s play in the series opener against New Zealand, helping the host team reach 317/5.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, making his 50th Test appearance and first at home, contributed 86 runs off 153 balls. Ahmed and Babar shared a 196-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which lasted 56.3 overs and put Pakistan in a strong position.
Despite using three spinners, New Zealand was unable to effectively control the run flow, with economy rates ranging from 3.4 to 4.9. Sarfaraz was dismissed in the 86th over, caught by Patel at first slip, ending the partnership with Babar.
Babar narrowly avoided being given out lbw off Patel’s bowling late in the day, but successfully challenged the decision and remained not out on 161 at stumps, with Agha Salman on three not out.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Pleased with Pakistan’s performance today, great comeback after the early loss of wickets. Special praise for Babar for another outstanding innings. Sarfaraz proved his selection right, excellent performance for him under pressure.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 26, 2022
Special innings
©️aptain @babarazam258 marches on #PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/lxr1dw2Vf3
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 26, 2022
Silky as per… @babarazam258 #numbernine 🇵🇰 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/LJKvMRj6AD
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) December 26, 2022
Top class hundred by @babarazam258 .
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) December 26, 2022
Great fight back from team Pakistan.
Another day another Hundred @babarazam258 ⭐️
What a special comeback @SarfarazA_54 Saifi bhai️ pic.twitter.com/TXrW9ax2TU— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) December 26, 2022
Kaptaan and skipper ️️. @SarfarazA_54 and @babarazam258 pic.twitter.com/5jB6hPuRta
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) December 26, 2022
Class apart, Kaptaan @babarazam258!
Enjoyed every bit of it.#PAKvNZ
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) December 26, 2022
Fantastic century by captain Babar Azam!
When others failed, he delivered for Pakistan #PAKvsNZ @babarazam258— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) December 26, 2022
What a player @babarazam258
Incredible 2022 in test cricket, privilege to watch! #PAKvNZ— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 26, 2022
Babar Azam and a 100 in NSK!
5th international century for the KING at the venuepic.twitter.com/AsQHGcZfh5— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) December 26, 2022
Babar Azam #9.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 26, 2022
Star of the day – Babar Azam.
Pakistan was 48 for 3 then captain Babar led from the front, 161* from 277 balls including 15 fours & 1 six during day 1 stumps. pic.twitter.com/1QHl4pxX51
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2022
Another 100 for @babarazam258 – this one came under pressure, more so with people gunning for him #PakvsNZ #Babar
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 26, 2022
#KingBabar hits another impressive Test against @BLACKCAPS this time️
Leading Run-Scorer in Tests in 2022
Most 50+ scores in a calendar year as Captain #BabarAzam𓃵 #Zalmi #YellowStorm #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/UCPwO5Pr06— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) December 26, 2022
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TAGS: Babar Azam, New Zealand, New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2022-23, Pakistan, PAKvNZ, Sarfaraz Ahmed
CATEGORY: Babar Azam, Twitter Reactions
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