PAK vs NZ: Henry & Ajay add 104 to NZ’s lead

A 104-run double play between the No. 10, while Ajaz Patel, the number one 11 gave New Zealand a lot more runs than they might have expected and put them in charge of the second Test in Karachi after just over four sessions. Pakistan, who had hoped to end New Zealand’s innings with less than 350 runs, now face nearly 100 more.

Henry and Patel’s century partnership was the fourth-highest for a tenth-wicket pair in Test cricket

The innings came to a close when Ajaz tried to sweep a googly from Abrar Ahmed but only got a top edge for slip to gobble up. Henry, on the other hand, was more aggressive, hitting eight fours and two sixes in his 81-ball 68, which was Ajaz’s highest Test score.

When New Zealand lost their ninth wicket with a score of 345, the two came together. Henry, on the other hand, attacked Abrar first with a four through midwicket and then hammered Hasan Ali for four, four, and six in succession.

Henry went down the ground in the V when Naseem Shah returned, then deposited a shot past deep midwicket for six that required a ball change. He trudged Abrar for a fifth four before long and struck his 6th limit by slapping Agha Salman through the off side.

In his 78-ball stay, Ajaz was more circumspect and occasionally released his arms. He hit three fours and looked very agreeable overall, particularly against the short-pitched bowling that Pakistan tried him – ineffectively – with.

Matt Henry's superb day continues, as he picks up the first wicket. Shafique caught by Patel on the pull for 19. Patel combining with Henry again after their batting heroics earlier. Follow play LIVE in NZ with @skysportnz & @SENZ_Radio. Scoring | https://t.co/vssoB8yv7C #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/KteClEwnxd

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 3, 2023

Since New Zealand were nine down, the umpires extended play in the session after Henry’s fifty came eight minutes after the scheduled lunch break. They made it through the session and added 16 more after lunch before Abrar took his fourth wicket to end the session.

Ish Sodhi and Tom Blundell started the day for New Zealand, but Sodhi didn’t last long and was run out for 11 by Naseem to a length ball that held its line and hit stump back.

After starting the day slowly, Blundell, in Tim Southee’s company, reached his ninth fifty in a Test. Pakistan, on the other hand, appeared to have the upper hand when Abrar dismissed him for 51 and Southee for nine. Be that as it may, Henry and Ajaz disappointed Pakistan, with various misfields making everything easier.

On day one, Tom Latham and Devon Conway’s 134-run first-wicket stand set up New Zealand well after they chose to bat despite the green surface. Latham scored 71, and when he was out, Conway drove the charge to make 122. Salman’s three wickets, however, lifted Pakistan from 255 for 3 to 279 for 6 late in the day. However, Henry and Ajaz took New Zealand much further than Blundell’s half-century, which occurred during the third session of day one and the first session of day two, bringing them closer to 350.

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Abrar finished the innings with the best figures for Pakistan, but his four wickets cost 149. Naseem finished with 3 for 71 and a 2.95 economy, making him the most impressive bowler. Salman, who barely bowled in the first Test, finished with 3 runs and 75 runs.