PAK vs NZ: Stumps Pakistan 408 and 0 for 2 (Sodhi 1-0, Southee 1-0) need 319 runs to beat New Zealand 449 and 277 for 5 dec (Bracewell 74*, Blundell 74)

In the second Test on Thursday, New Zealand gave Pakistan a difficult target of 319 and then struck twice late to boost their chances of winning the series.

On the penultimate day of play at the National Stadium in Karachi, Tim Southee declared New Zealand’s second innings on 277/5 with three overs remaining in his first series as Test captain.

In those overs, Pakistan failed to score, losing opener Abdullah Shafique and nightwatchman Mir Hamza in the dying light to leave them in a bind.

Ish Sodhi bowled Hamza with a sharply turning delivery, both of which suggested how the pitch might behave on Friday. Southee broke through Abdullah Shafique’s defense with a ball that stayed low. Hamza was bowled by Ish Sodhi.

Earlier, Sodhi took Pakistan’s final wicket as the home team was all out for 408 in their first innings, giving up a 41-run lead.

Tom Latham (62) and Tom Blundell (74) struck their second fifties of the match when New Zealand batted for the second time in the match, and Michael Bracewell struck 74 not out to increase their overall lead to more than 300.

In the tumultuous second session, with Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in the thick of things, three wickets were lost and several decisions made by umpires had to be reversed.

Pakistan lost two reviews in 12 overs, attempting to run out Kane Williamson (41) by Abrar, and the bespectacled spinner was in for more pain.

When Latham, who was 36 at the time, overturned a lbw decision against him, Abrar’s celebration was cut short.

Pakistan did not challenge a not-out decision after Abrar had trapped Latham plumb in front, as replays later confirmed. They were afraid of wasting their remaining review.

However, Pakistan did not suffer as a result of Babar Azam’s decision, as Latham was out for 62 in the following over after attempting to flick Naseem Shah off his hips but hitting it to the left of a diving Abrar at short midwicket. After that, the new batter Nicholls was able to get past a caught-behind ruling made by umpire Aleem Dar, but his review changed the ruling because no edge was found.

All to play for on Day 5! Late wickets for Southee and Sodhi set up a big final day of the series in Karachi. 8 wickets needed. @TheRealPCB seeking 319 runs. Scorecard | https://t.co/vssoB8yv7C #PAKvNZ 📷 = PCB pic.twitter.com/YETX58zSf5

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 5, 2023

When Abrar made a stunning one-handed catch at midwicket, he was ultimately responsible for Latham’s dismissal.

When he induced Blundell to take an edge, Abrar also watched helplessly as Sarfaraz Khan fell behind the stumps.

After the Latham catch, Abrar, now high on confidence, caught Williamson going for the sweep. When Williamson went up for review, the ball clipped the outside half of his leg stump, and he was ruled out by the tiniest of margins. After that, Blundell was given out lbw by Wharf’s first ball, which was an Abrar googly; however, his review saved him, and a spike came up on replay.

To propel himself to his ninth half-century, Blundell capitalized on that opportunity, a dropped catch by the wicketkeeper, and Agha Salman at first slip. Sarfaraz had a terrible day, failing to convert three chances.

In contrast, Bracewell got off to a shaky start, really struggling against the Abrar googly around the stumps. However, in the final session, he persevered and grew the partnership over time.

When New Zealand’s lead reached 270 in the 75th over, Bracewell really came into his own. He was on 45 in 99 balls at the time, but he hit back-to-back fours off Abrar to score his first Test fifty. 

ALSO READ: IND vs SL: SL wins by 16 runs

Bracewell remained unbeaten on 74 even though Blundell fell for 74 while attempting to score another boundary. With the light going out, New Zealand decided to bowl three overs at Pakistan rather than bat. Under difficult circumstances, that proved fatal for the hosts.

The teams had played a draw in the first Test.