The unpredictable Pakistan was on display at Karachi Stadium in a thrilling draw on Day 5 which witnessed a record-breaking century from former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. Bad light had the last say when Pakistan needed 15 runs to win whereas New Zealand needed one wicket to end the game.
Pakistan started their run chase of 319 on Day 5 with two wickets down for naught. In the first session, Ish Sodhi got the better of opener Imam-ul-Haq (12) early. Shan Masood and skipper Babar Azam stitched a partnership to stabilise the innings but the two batters lost their wickets within 11 deliveries. Michael Bracewell got the wickets of Masood (35) and Bracewell (27). Once again, the responsibility to rebuild the innings was on Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz. The duo ensured that no more wickets fell in the first session.
While Shakeel approached the game with ultra-defensive approach Sarfaraz scored at a healthy rate and kept the target in sight. The wicketkeeper-batter got to his half-century from 62 deliveries. He batted exceptionally well against the spinners and used his homeground experience.
In the third session, Bracewell got the breakthrough with the wicket of Shakeel. The southpaw scored 32 runs from 146 deliveries at a strike rate of 21.92 in the 123-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Agha Salman joined Sarfaraz in the middle and looked to score quick runs. He hit a few boundaries and kept the Kiwis on their toes. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz ended his century drought. He scored a Test century after more than eight years. He got to the three figures from 135 deliveries.
Pacer Matt Henry who was expensive earlier struck in his first over with the second new ball. Salman got bowled by a delivery that nip backed and kept a bit slow. He scored 30 runs from 40 deliveries in the 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Hasan Ali did not make an impact as he got out for a single-digit score to skipper Tim Southee. Struggling with cramps, the 35-year-old Sarfaraz survived a few scares but eventually edged one to leg slip fielder Kane Williamson off Bracewell's bowling. He scored 118 runs from 176 deliveries including nine fours and one six.
After Sarfaraz's wicket, Naseem Shah took on Bracewell hitting a six and four to keep the game alive. In the end, bad light intervened and robbed the spectators of a result. Pakistan managed to score 304 for nine wickets from 90 overs.
Sarfaraz was named ‘Player of the match’ and ‘Player of the series’. He scored three half-centuries followed by a century on his comeback to the Test side after more than three years. Sarfaraz's 118-run knock is the highest score by a Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter in fourth innings. Also, it is the second-highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in fourth innings of a Test. Adam Gilchrist leads the list with an unbeaten 149 against Pakistan in 1999.
