Babar Azam hits hundred in Pakistan’s recovery to 224-4 in 1st Test

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam celebrates after scoring 150 runs during the first day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on 26 December 2022 – AFP

KARACHI, AFP: Skipper Babar Azam hit a brilliant century to lead Pakistan’s recovery to 224-4 at tea, after New Zealand’s spinners made early inroads on the opening day of the first Test in Karachi on Monday.

Azam struck spinner Michael Bracewell for a six towards mid-wicket to complete his ninth Test century, reviving Pakistan after they were struggling on 115-4 at lunch.

Having won the toss and batted, Azam was unbeaten on 119, with the recalled Sarfaraz Ahmed alongside him on 43, as they added 114 for an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership.

Azam also hit 11 boundaries while Sarfaraz ─ playing his first Test since January 2019 ─ had seven hits to the rope.

New Zealand will be ruing letting Azam off the hook when he was on just 12, after Daryl Mitchell spilled a regulation catch at slip off Bracewell.

The tourists also failed to run out Azam on 54 when Devon Conway missed the stumps with the Pakistan skipper well short of his crease.

This is the first time in Test cricket history that the first two dismissals in an innings were both stumped.

Pakistan, who suffered their first-ever 3-0 home whitewash to England last week, recalled Sarfaraz, Mir Hamza and Haq to the side.