Pakistan vs New Zealand Day 1 Analysis
Pakistan vs New Zealand: It started as devestating day for bowlers in Pakistan as New Zealand looked to pile up big score on the first day of second test. The first test match of year 2023 started with a wonderful track to bat on for New Zealand batsmen. After winning the toss, the new captain Tim Southee decided to bat first as he assumed that pitch will do nothing for bowlers. But towards the end of the day, bowlers came to have an edge over batsmen.
For beginning, his assumption was quite right as New Zealand shared 135 runs partnership for the first wicket. In the previous match, It was Tom Latham who scored a magnificent ton, in this match, Devon Conway took his chance to make best of the batting conditions at Karachi National Stadium.
New Zealand was at 250 for 1 at lunch. But couple of early wickets for Agha Salman made a impact and allowed Pakistan to make a small comeback.
Devon Conway Started 2023 With A Ton
Devon Conway was fantastic with the bat. He looked determined when he came out to bat steered to half century without much trouble then hustled to his 4th test century of his career in just 12 matches. He was dismissed by Agha Salman who beat him with turn edging him behind in the gloves of Sarfaraz Khan. With his century, Devon Conway became the first batsman to score a ton in any international format in year 2023.
In total, the day wasn’t that bad for Pakistan. In the first two sessions, they were off the mark and struggled to put pressure on New Zealand’s batting line-up. But as Agha Salman came to bowl, he picked some wickets and put a stop on ever building partnerships.
19 years old Naseem Shah was key bowler too as he dismissed Tom Latham with an absolute jafffer. Then towards the beginning of third session, he removed Kane Williamson. Now, the 19 years old has already dismissed World test greats; Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. Quite a bowler when there is some help available for him.
It wasn’t an ideal end for New Zealand. The way they started, 450 was always on the cards. But that’s the beauty of test cricket, you can see wickets tumbling down even more faster than ODI or T20 cricket. Except the two openers, no other batsmen was able to cross even 50 runs mark so Pakistan will be lot happier for the way ended the first day of test match.
Daryl Mitchell could only score 3 runs before getting bowled by Agha Salman. The favoured all rounder Michael Bracewell was sent back to pavillion for a duck by Abrar Ahmed who has taken wickets in every test innings he has played so far.
There is small partnership of 26 runs being cooked by the pair of Tom Blundell and Ish Sodhi. Pakistan will like to get rid away from this as early as possible before it gets threatening.
That’s pretty much the cover up of day of first test match between Pakistan vs New Zealand.