Pakistan close on 317/5 on Day 1 of the 1st Test against New Zealand in Karachi

[shariqnoor]

Aleem Dar strikes again. Been saying since a long time, Aleem is a threat to Pakistan more than any other umpire.

 

[imshally81]

Another pathetic decision by Aleem Dar... Age is catching him...

 

[JibranAnsari]

aleem dad should retire. 2nd wrong decision of the morning and both against pakistan.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aleem Dar needs to give up umpiring, atrocious umpiring as is norm these days.

 

[Markhor]

317-5 at stumps. Best day of Test cricket at home for PAK in a very long time. Hopefully we don't now collapse in a heap tomorrow morning.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan will take that after being 48/3

Babar still there.

450 the target I guess.

 

[Kianig89]

Shazball worked for Pak ,hopefully 400+ tomorrow

 

[Amjid Javed]

Good effort by Pakistan today with Bat, Babar needs to get a double ton and pakistan need to get 400 tomorrow.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It's amazing how poor NZ is once they step out of ENG/NZ.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan will take that after being 48/3

Babar still there.

450 the target I guess.

Hopefully if tail wags and Babar stays in, if not we could get less than 400.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Back to usual

 

[jnaveen1980]

It's amazing how poor NZ is once they step out of ENG/NZ.

Attitude. NZ is another side who hopes to get away with a draw from day one in subcontinent. Long t ime back might South Africa was like that in India. Most of the time would play for draw from first day.

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan are at the driving seat.

I expect them to win this Test or at least draw it.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan were boosted by an unbeaten 161 by Babar Azam and a fighting 86 from Sarfaraz Ahmed as they reached 317/5 at stump on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand in Karachi. Babar Azam hit his ninth Test century to help Pakistan recover from the early blows. Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar had won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand. During the toss, Babar confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed has replaced Mohammad Rizwan in the playing XI, while Mir Hamza, who was added to the squad prior to the first Test, also returns to the Test side, having made his debut in 2018.

 

[Savak]

People underestimate how brutal Stokes bowling changes, bowling strategies and field placements were. Stokes had managed to analyze each and every Pakistani batsman regarding their strengths, weaknesses, release shots, he kept enough men in the ring to attack, protect against easy singles and men on the boundary in the right places to restrict the boundaries to singles and to prevent the batters from playing their release shots. A lot of Pakistani batters were caught holing out on the boundary out of frustration of dot balls, low run rate.

He proved good captaincy, mindset can help take the pitch out of the equation.

The NZ bowlers in comparison conceeded a boundary every 2 overs which helped to release the pressure. Southee wasn't smart enough with his field placings in comparison.

 

[Omer2002]

People underestimate how brutal Stokes bowling changes, bowling strategies and field placements were. Stokes had managed to analyze each and every Pakistani batsman regarding their strengths, weaknesses, release shots, he kept enough men in the ring to attack, protect against easy singles and men on the boundary in the right places to restrict the boundaries to singles and to prevent the batters from playing their release shots. A lot of Pakistani batters were caught holing out on the boundary out of frustration of dot balls, low run rate.

He proved good captaincy, mindset can help take the pitch out of the equation.

The NZ bowlers in comparison conceeded a boundary every 2 overs which helped to release the pressure. Southee wasn't smart enough with his field placings in comparison.

The first hour because of the moisture teh spin was horrendus...we were lucky werent 5 down..

 

[boomboomcheema]

Aleem Dar is a traitor. Thank God for Technology.

 

[zamana]

Very good performances by Babar and Sarfaraz. It was good to see Sarfaraz play well. Pakistan should focus on all three formats of the game. There is enough talent to develop depth in each format. A strong Test team should be the impetus for success in other formats. Technically correct and temperamentally strong players can succeed in all aspects of the game and this can only be achieved by attention to these prerequisites. The addition of Sarfaraz and Mir Hamza is recognition of talent.

 

[jnaveen1980]

NZ had a better spin attack than England. Yet Southee failed to extra more out of them with clever field set. That midwicket area was always open for Babar.

 

[MenInG]

Highlights

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[Nasty Naz]

Special innings from Babar and its innings like that will help his legacy. Came in a tough situation with the ball turning big and managed to get through the tough part and scored a massive hundred to put Pakistan ahead at this point.

Great job by Sarfraz too who played an excellent innings, probably his best since his match winning innings vs Australia in 2018.

 

[mastermind_quad]

Babar and Sarfraz made sure that now Pakistan cannot loose this match either win or draw.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Need to get another 100 runs more to be safe.

 

[Jazx]

Exellent knock by babar, great comeback by sarfaraz

 

[world cup captain]

This is a only international venue in the country (except Pindi which has already received dermit points twice) where test cricket can play right now...

It's cheaper and easier to fix the Pindi pitch than to get spectators from Pindi to come to Karachi.

 

[Nasty Naz]

It's cheaper and easier to fix the Pindi pitch than to get spectators from Pindi to come to Karachi.

They don't even need to fix the pitches or anything, Pindi pitches used during QeA are excellent and its generally where domestic matches get the most result.

Pakistan just need to stop intentionally messing with the pitch to make it spin friendly when it will never be spin friendly.