Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 79 runs in the second one-day international and leveled the three-match tie 1-1 here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Wednesday night. Green Shirts could score 182 runs, as they had 262 runs target to win the match and series too. Visitors set 262 runs target for the hosts with the lion share of Deven Conway 101 after lasting 92 balls with the help of 13 fours and a huge six while captain Kane scored 85 runs in a 100 balls innings. He smashed 10 boundaries. Sentre scored 37 runs. Mohammad Nawaz (4 for 38), Naseem Shah (3 for 58), Usama Mir (1 for 42) and Haris Rauf (1 for 47) were wicket taker bowlers for the home side. Pakistan were crawling behind the target till the end of the match, as opener batters failed to provide a solid start despite having a batting-friendly pitch. On the same surface, Kiwi players hit the strokes easily and at one stage it seemed that they would score over three hundred. However, Mohammad Nawaz and Nasim Shah restricted them to 261. Skipper Babar Azam was top scorer with 79 runs, as he wasted 114 balls during his innings. He hit 8 fours and one six, as this effort could not prove fruitful for the team. Babar was a bit slow according to the demanding situation. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 28 runs, as this was also show innings, as he faced 50 balls for his this meager innings. Tim Southee (2 for 33), Ish Sodhi (2 for 38), Michael Bracewell (1 for 29), Philips (1 for 13) and Mitchel Sentner (1 for 34) were wicket taker bowlers. Devon Conway was judged man of the match on his remarkable performance with the bat. Scorecard in Brief: Toss: New Zealand won and decided to bat New Zealand (Batting) 261 all out in 49.5 overs Devon Conway 101 runs (92 balls, 4x13, 6x1), Kane Williamson 85 runs (100 balls, 4x10, 6x0), Mitchell Sentrer 37 runs (40 balls, 4x1, 6x1) Pakistan Bowling: Mohammad Nawaz (4 for 38), Naseem Shah (3 for 58), Usama Mir (1 for 42) Haris Rauf (1 for 47) Pakistan (Batting): Target 262 in 50 overs Babar Azam 79 runs (114 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan 28 runs (50 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Agha Salman 25 runs (22 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Usama Mir 12 runs (9 balls, 4x1, 6x1) New Zealand Bowling: Tim Southee (2 for 33), Ish Sodhi (2 for 38), Michael Bracewell (1 for 29), Philips (1 for 13), Mitchel Sentner (1 for 34),    

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) to earn a 1-0 lead in the three-match Series at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi on Monday night. Green Shirts got their target in the 48.1 overs. Three half-centuries, Mohammad Rizwan (77 not out), Babar Azam (66), and Fakhar Zaman (56) helped Gren Shirts to achieve their target on the very first delivery of 48th over when Agha Salam hit a beautiful six at long-on boundary. Haris Shoail contributed 32 runs off 23 ball including two four and two sixes.    Earlier, after putting into bat by Pakistan, Kiwis batters scored 255 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs per innings fixture. Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) were the major contributors. Naseem Shah got five wickets after conceding 57 runs in his 10 overs. Scoreboard (First ODI) Toss: Pakistan won and decided to bowl first Venue: National Bank Arena Karachi New Zealand (Batting): 255 for 9 in 50 overs Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) Pakistan (Bowling) Naseem Shah (5 for 57), Usama Mir (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 38), Mohammad Wasim (1 for 43) Pakistan (Batting) Target 256 Mohammad Rizwan 77 runs not out (86 balls, 4x6, 6x1), Babar Azam 66 runs (82 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Fakhar Zaman 56 runs (74 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Haris Sohail 32 runs (23 balls, 4x2, 6x2) New Zealand (Bowling): Michael Bracewell (2 for 44), Glenn Phillips (1 for 35) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, New Zealand (Playing XIs): Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner Reserve Players: Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Player of the match: Naseem Shah

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The visitor’s team New Zealand set 256 runs target for the Green Shirts to win the first one-day international, which is going on at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi on Monday. After putting into bat by Pakistan, Kiwis batters scored 255 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs per innings fixture. Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) were the major contributors. Naseem Shah got five wickets after conceding 57 runs in his 10 overs. Scoreboard (First ODI) Toss: Pakistan won and decided to bowl first Venue: National Bank Arena Karachi New Zealand (Batting): 255 for 9 in 50 overs Michael Bracewell 43 runs (42 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham 42 runs (52 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Glenn Phillips 37 runs (53 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 36 runs (55 balls, 4x1, 6x0) Pakistan (Bowling) Naseem Shah (5 for 57), Usama Mir (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 38), Mohammad Wasim (1 for 43) Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, New Zealand (Playing XIs): Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner Reserve Players: Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner,  

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Pakistan won the toss and asked visitors to bat in the first one-day international match against New Zealand at National Cricket Stadium Karachi on Monday. Pakistan (Playing XIs): Babar Azam (Captain), Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, New Zealand (Playing XIs): Kane Williamson (Captain), Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Lochie Ferguson, Henry Shipley, Mitchell Santner Reserve Players: Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner,  

BIPIN DANI Bangladesh's Test captain Shakib Al Hasan is the most popular cricketer in this country. One can see the advertisement hoardings displaying his photo at the airport, malls, and several prominent places in the capital city. It is no surprise the young kids dreaming of becoming cricketers like him join his personal academy. "Yes, he is the only current cricketer running an academy (Masco Shakib Cricket Academy)", the former coach of the BCB and the Singapore Cricket Association, who is now the head coach of the Shakib's academy, says. This academy was established in 2021 in a green village site at Kanchan, Rupgonj, Narayangonj, which is about 30 km from the SBNS (Shere Bangla National Stadium). "We have a nice cricket ground with 4 center wickets and 9 outside turf wickets and 2 cement wickets, apart from an indoor cricket center, 2 floors gym facilities which cater about 60 students with their accommodation", Mohammed Salahuddin said. "There is no age limit for the students, anyone can get admission here. We have students of the age Under 10, 14, 16 and 18 then have 3 senior groups also, who all are admitted after seeing their trials". "We have different categories of elite players who also train here. The national players Mominul, Zakir Hasan, Md Mithun, Imrul Kayes and many premier players come here to train. We allow national women players to train". Incidentally, Sharmin Akhter Supta, the opening batter in the women's national team, is a student of this academy. "We have a lot of young talented players and so we are hopeful that few of them will play for the national team in future", the coach concluded. Shakib is very busy with his playing and other endorsement commitments and cannot make it to visit his own academy frequently but now as the recent bilateral series against India is over, may soon find time to visit future stars.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (January 6, 2023): The first Test of the new year produced one of the most thrilling, exciting, and nerve-jangling finish in the history of Test cricket when New Zealand fell short of victory by one wicket, while Pakistan were left 15 runs shy of ending their eight-match win drought at home. Starting the day at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Friday at none for two in pursuit of the 319 runs target, Pakistan plunged into deep crisis at 80 for five before Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel, and then Sarfaraz and Salman Ali Agha put them back in the driver’s seat as Pakistan reached 273 for six. However, Pakistan slipped to 287 for nine in a space of 29 balls before the last pair of Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed survived 21 deliveries when the umpires called off the match due to bad light with three overs still remaining. When the match ended, Pakistan were 304 for nine with Naseem on 15 from 11 balls and Abrar on seven from 13 balls. Interestingly, Pakistan were frustrated in the first innings by New Zealand’s last pair of Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel, who had put on 104 runs. Pakistan settled that score when Naseem and Abrar denied New Zealand their first victory since 1996 when Lee Germon’s New Zealand had defeated Saeed Anwar’s Pakistan by 44 runs in Lahore. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a magnificent 118 from 176 balls in just under five hours of batting to keep Pakistan in hunt for victory. The batter not only scored at will, but his run-scoring also spread the fielders, thus, taking pressure off from the close-in fielders. Such was Sarfaraz’s dominance over the New Zealand bowlers that he scored his first 50 runs from 62 balls, while he took 73 balls to reach his fourth century in 51 Tests. Sarfaraz had also scored 78 runs in the first innings that deservingly earned him the player of the match. With scores of 86 and 53 in the first Test, he was adjudged player of the series. Sarfaraz put on 123 runs for the sixth wicket with Saud Shakeel (32), while he added 70 runs for the seventh wicket with Salman (30). Although Pakistan escaped with a draw, thanks to Sarfaraz, some of their batters’ stroke-selection left much to be desired. Imam-ul-Haq (12) was bowled after he danced down the track to miss the line of Ish Sodhi’s delivery, Shan Masood (35) unnecessarily hit in the air to be caught off Bracewell, Babar Azam (27) was caught down the leg-side off Bracewell, Saud was caught in the slip off Bracewell while trying to guide the ball and Salman was castled after attempting to hit Henry out of the park. New Zealand Batting (First Innings): 449 all out in 131 overs Davon Conway 122 (191 balls, 4x16, 6x1), Tom Latham 71 (100 balls, 4x9, 6x0), Matt Henry 68 (81 balls, 4x8, 6x2), Tom Blundell 51 (108 balls, 4x6, 6x0)    Pakistan Bowling: Abrar Ahmed (4 for 149), Naseem Shah (3 for 71), Agha Salman (3 for 75) Pakistan Batting (First Innings) 408 all out in 133 overs Saud Shakeel 125 (341 balls, 4x17, 6x0), Imam-ul-Haq 83 (165 balls, 4x10, 6x1), Sarfraz Ahmed 78 (109 balls, 4x10, 6x0), Agha Salam 41 (78 balls, 4x7, 6x0) New Zealand Bowling: Ajaz Patel (3 for 88), Ish Sodhi (3 for 95), Daryl Mitchell (1 for 11) New Zealand Batting (second Innings): 277 for 5 declared in 82 overs Tom Blundell 74 (135 balls, 4x7, 6x1), Michael Bracewell 54 not out (119 balls, 4x11, 6x0), Kane Williamson 41 (107 balls, 4x6, 6x0)    Pakistan Bowling: Air Hamza (1 for 38), Hasan Ali (1 for 39), Agha Salman (1 for 42), Naseem Shah (1 for 43), Abrar Ahmed (1 for 103) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): Target 319 Sarfarz Ahmed 118 (178 balls, 4x9, 6x1), Shan Masood 35 (66 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Saud Shakeel 32 (146 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Agha Salman 30 (40 balls, 4x4, 6x0) New Zealand Bowling: Michael Barcewell (3 for 63), Tim Southee (2 for 39), Ish Sodhi (2 for 53) Player of the match: Sarfaraz Ahmed Player of the series: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (January 5, 2023): Pakistan lost two wickets without scoring on the fourth day of the second Test in Karachi after New Zealand set them a target of 319. Skipper Tim Southee dismissed opener Abdullah Shafique with the a ball that kept low before Ish Sodhi spun through nightwatchman Mir Hamza’s defences in the last over of the fourth day. At the close, a shocked Imam-ul-Haq was at the crease without scoring and the home team needing 319 runs for victory, or eight wickets in hand to hold out for a draw. A loss would be their third series defeat at home in a season after going down 1-0 to Australia and 3-0 to England earlier this year. No team has chased more than 314 to win a Test in Pakistan, which the home team set against Australia in Karachi 1994. New Zealand declared their second innings ten minutes before close on 277-5 after Michael Bracewell hit a career-best 74 not out and Tom Blundell 74. The pair turned the match during their match-turning 127-run fifth wicket stand. Pakistan had the match under control when they had New Zealand struggling at 128-4 from 76-1 at lunch, removing Tom Latham (62), Kane Williamson (41) and Henry Nicholls (five). But Blundell, dropped on 21 by wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed off spinner Abrar Ahmed, punished the home team with seven boundaries and a six before holing out off Agha Salman. Bracewell, whose previous best of 49 was against England earlier this year, was also dropped on 59 by Sarfaraz off Salman. In the post-lunch session New Zealand lost three wickets in the space of 50 balls and 14 runs. Latham was smartly caught off a miscued flick at short mid-wicket by Abrar Ahmed from fast-bowler Naseem Shah. With the total unmoved on 114, in the next over Ahmed trapped Williamson leg-before. Hasan Ali had Nicholls caught soon after as New Zealand lost three wickets off 50 balls for 14 runs. Field umpires Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar had a horrible day with three of their decisions overturned. New Zealand were jolted in the second over of their innings when Mir Hamza bowled Conway with his first delivery. It was the first time Conway fell without scoring in his 12-match Test career. Pakistan wasted two leg-before referrals on Williamson when the batter was on seven and nine, while Latham overturned a decision against him on 36 -- all off Ahmed. At the start of the day, Pakistan were dismissed for 408 after adding just one run to their overnight score, in response to New Zealand's 449 first-innings total. Spinner Ish Sodhi had last man Ahmed trapped leg-before for nought, leaving centurion Saud Shakeel stranded on the other end. Shakeel was unbeaten on 125 after a marathon resistance-packed 493 minutes at the crease, hitting 17 boundaries in his maiden hundred. Spinner Ajaz Patel finished with 3-88 and Sodhi 3-95. Scores in Brief New Zealand (1st innings) 449 all-out, 131 overs (Devon Conway 122, Tom Latham 71, Matt Henry 68 not out, Tom Blundell 51, Kane Williamson 36, Ajaz Patel 35, Henry Nicholls 26; Abrar Ahmed 4-149, Naseem Shah 3-71, Salman Ali Agha 3-75) and 277-5d (Tom Blundell 74 not out, Michael Bracewell 74, Tom Latham 62, Kane Williamson 41; Mir Hamza 1-38, Hasan Ali 1-39, Salman Ali Agha 1-42, Naseem Shah 1-43) Pakistan (1st innings) 408 all-out, 133 overs (Saud Shakeel 125 not out, Imam-ul-Haq 83, Sarfaraz Ahmed 78, Salman Ali Agha 41, Babar Azam 24, Shan Masood 20; Ajaz Patel 3-88, Ish Sodhi 3-95) and 0-2 (Tim Southee 1-0, Ish Sodhi 1-0)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The Pakistan men’s interim selection committee headed by Shahid Khan Afridi today (Thursday) named a 16-player squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against New Zealand, which will be played here at the National Bank Cricket Arena on 9, 11 and 13 January. Uncapped batter Tayyab Tahir and wrist spinner Usama Mir have been named in the squad after producing stellar performances in the Pakistan Cup, while Shan Masood and Haris Sohail have been recalled after missing out on ODI cricket since 2019 and 2020, respectively. Kamran Ghulam, who is part of the Test squad, has also been included in the ODI side for the first time. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was injured during the first Test against England in Rawalpindi, has regained complete fitness and has been named in the line-up. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite making good progress, has not been included as the selectors, in consultation with the medical panel, have decided to give him more time to reclaim complete fitness. He is expected to return to competitive cricket next month in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8. Shahid Afridi, Interim Chief Selector said: “We had limited ODI cricket last year and this year, we are scheduled to play 11 ODIs before we participate in the ACC Asia Cup, followed by the World Cup in conditions that will be familiar to us. So, we aim to make optimum use of these 11 ODIs by providing opportunities to our consistent performers that will enable us to select the best available players for the two important tournaments. “In this background, we have decided to recall experienced Haris Sohail and Shan Masood as we believe the two lads still have plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket. We have not only rewarded Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir for their outstanding performances in our domestic events, they have also been identified as future prospects. These four players, along with Kamran Ghulam, have good knowledge of our conditions and have the talent and potential to excel at the highest level. “Players who could not make in the ODI side will remain in contention as the objective from this series is to have absolute clarity on the pool of players for international cricket in 2023 and beyond. For this reason, outstanding domestic performers and senior players getting back to form and fitness have been given opportunities to showcase their performances. Workload management and separate squads for red and white-ball cricket is also under consideration, which will require a wider pool of players. I urge the players to continue to work hard and be ready for a call-up. Tayyab Tahir had a successful Pakistan Cup when he won the Player of the Final award for his match-winning 71. He was also adjudged the Best Batter of the Pakistan Cup after scoring 573 runs. Prior to the 50-over tournament, Tayyab had shown consistent form in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy by scoring 708 runs at an average of 59 with four centuries and a half-century. Likewise, Usama Mir was named the Best Bowler of the Pakistan Cup after picking up 28 wickets, following his 10 wickets in four matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Haris Sohail, whose 42nd and last ODI was against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi in October 2020, has been recalled after scoring 129 runs in five Pakistan Cup matches. In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the left-hander scored 453 runs at an average of 50.33 with a century and two half-centuries. Shan scored 111 runs with a half-century in five ODIs during his last appearance for Pakistan against Australia in the UAE in March 2019 The Southpaw has been a regular feature in Pakistan line-ups, across formats, since his T20I debut against England September-October. Apart from injured Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris and Zahid Mehmood were also part of the side that last played an ODI series against the Netherlands in Rotterdam but have not been selected for next week’s series against New Zealand. Pakistan’s ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (December 4, 2023): Left-handed batter, Saud Shakeel scored his first Test century in fifth appearance but Pakistan threw away his labourious innings by losing four late wickets for 12 runs on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Wednesday. Pakistan were on course for closing out the day in a comfortable position when they reached 385 for five. But as it has been a few times this season, they dramatically lost four wickets for 12 runs in 26 balls to end the day at 407 for nine, while replying to New Zealand’s 449. The home side still trails the visitors by 42 runs in the first innings. Resuming at the overnight score of 13 in Pakistan’s 154 for three, the 27-year-old local lad finished the day at 124 not out. He has been batting for over eight hours, during which he has received 336 balls and struck 17 fours. The former Pakistan Shaheens captain reached his half-century from 173 balls, while he took 67 balls to score the next 50 runs to reach the magical figures for the first time in his ninth innings and that too at his home ground. The left-hander’s only blemish was when at the score of 102, he played a loose shot but got away with it when Tom Latham dropped a simple catch at point off Tim Southee. Saud made his debut this season in the first Test against England in Rawalpindi and had scores of 37, 76 (Rawalpindi), 63, 94 (Multan), 23, 53 (Karachi) and 22, 55 not out (Karachi v NZ, 1st Test) before this Test. While Saud went on to complete a memorable century, his overnight partner Imam-ul-Haq could only add nine to his last evening’s score before being caught at the wicket off Tim Southee for 83. Imam and Saud put on 83 runs for the fourth wicket in 215 balls. Following Imam’s departure, Saud found a reliable ally in Sarfaraz Ahmed as the two batters put on 150 runs for the fifth wicket in 238 balls. Sarfaraz, who scored 86 and 53 in the previous Test – his first since January 2019 – was unfortunate to be declared stumped off Daryl Mitchell after scoring an attractive 78 off 109 balls with 10 elegant fours. Saud then put on 53 runs for the sixth wicket with Salman Ali Agha. The partnership ended when Michael Bracewell took a brilliant reflex action catch in the slip off Ajaz Patel, who later accounted for Hasan Ali (four). Ish Sodhi then dismissed Naseem Shah (four) and Mir Hamza on successive deliveries as Pakistan slipped to 385 for five to 397 for nine. Patel finished the day at three for 88, while Sodhi scooped two for 94. Southee, Matt Henry and Mitchell picked up a wicket each. Scores in brief: New Zealand (1st innings) 449 all-out, 131 overs (Devon Conway 122, Tom Latham 71, Matt Henry 68 not out, Tom Blundell 51, Kane Williamson 36, Ajaz Patel 35, Henry Nicholls 26; Abrar Ahmed 4-149, Naseem Shah 3-71, Salman Ali Agha 3-75) Pakistan (1st innings) (overnight 154-3) 407-9, 132 overs (Saud Shakeel 124 not out, Imam-ul-Haq 83, Sarfaraz Ahmed 78, Salman Ali Agha 41, Babar Azam 24, Shan Masood 20; Ajaz Patel 3-88, Ish Sodhi 2-94)

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: (January 3, 2023): Pakistan’s top-order batting woes continued in the new year before Imam-ul-Haq rescued his side from complete collapse on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Tuesday. Abdullah Shafique once again fell while hooking, Shan Masood’s aggressive approach against the spinners led to his downfall and Babar Azam was run-out in a terrible mix-up with Imam-ul-Haq as Pakistan slipped to 99 for three before finishing the day at 154 for three. Pakistan’s response came after New Zealand were bowled out for 449 after starting the day at 309 for six and having being reduced to 345 for nine. Abdullah managed 19 off 32 balls with four fours, Shan scored 20 from 11 balls with four fours and Babar hit three fours and six in a 41-ball 24 before returning to the dressing room to leave Pakistan in dire straits. However, Imam held the innings together and in partnership with Saud Shakeel, he has so far added 55 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket. The left-hander, who tuned his back at Babar after the skipper had sprinted for the third run, was batting on 74 from 125 balls with nine fours and a six, while a consistent Saud was 13 not out from 75 balls. For New Zealand, Matt Henry picked up the wicket of Abdullah and Ajaz Patel dismissed Shan. Earlier, Henry and Patel had combined to frustrate Pakistan for 92 minutes during which they added 104 runs in 149 balls for the 10th wicket to lift New Zealand to 449. No.10 batter Henry notched up his third career half-century in 18th match when he returned unbeaten on an attacking 81-ball 68 with eight fours and two sixes, while Patel was the last batter to be dismissed after scoring a Test best 35 from 78 balls and four fours. Overnight batters Tom Blundell and Ish Sodhi, along with skipper Tim Southee, were back in the hut with the addition of 36 runs as New Zealand slipped to 345 for nine before the last-wicket partnership helped the visitors reach a decent score. Blundell, who began the day at 30, was dismissed after scoring 51 from 108 balls with six fours, while Sodhi failed to add any run to his overnight score of 11 before he was castled by Naseem Shah (three for 71). Arbar Ahmed picked the remaining three wickets to finish with figures of 37-5-149-4. Abrar now has 27 wickets in seven innings of four Tests. Scores in brief: New Zealand (1st innings) (overnight 309-6) 449 all-out, 131 overs (Devon Conway 122, Tom Latham 71, Matt Henry 68 not out, Tom Blundell 51, Kane Williamson 36, Ajaz Patel 35, Henry Nicholls 26; Abrar Ahmed 4-149, Naseem Shah 3-71, Salman Ali Agha 3-75) Pakistan (1st innings) 154-3, 47 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 74 not out, Babar Azam 24, Shan Masood 20, Saud Shakeel 13 not out)