By: Syed Athar Abbas (Athar G) TN Sports News:
When Saud Shakeel returned to the pavilion after playing the innings, captain Babar Azam hugged him.
Karachi Test: Saud Shakeel’s century, Pakistan 407 runs for 9 wickets Pakistan scored 407 runs for the loss of 9 wickets at the end of the third day thanks to Saud Shakeel’s first century and Sarfraz Ahmed’s half-century in the second Test match against New Zealand while facing a deficit of 42 more runs.
In the second Test match of the series being played in Karachi, Pakistan started batting on the third day of the match with 154 runs with three out, Imamul Haq and Saud Shakeel were present at the wicket. Both players batted well at the start of the day and took the score to 182 but Imam-ul-Haq, who was batting on 83, played an irresponsible shot and was caught by the wicket-keeper, ten in his innings. Fours and six were included.
Saud was joined by the experienced Sarfaraz after the fall of four wickets and both batted cautiously initially, especially the left-handed batsman. Both the players played a responsible game and did not allow a wicket to fall till the lunch break while increasing the score and reducing the deficit. The duo continued their excellent batting streak even after the lunch break, during which Sarfraz Ahmed scored his third consecutive half-century.
From the other end, Saud Shakeel also played brilliantly and won the honour of scoring his first century in Test cricket. The two put on a fine partnership of 150 runs at a difficult time and took Pakistan to a better position but at this stage, the Kiwi captain brought in part-time bowler Darryl Mitchell, whose first ball missed Sarfaraz’s stumps one ball later. Hooker returned to the pavilion, he played an inning of 78 runs.
When the lunch break came on the third day of the match, Pakistan had scored 337 runs for the loss of 5 wickets and needed 112 more runs to match New Zealand’s first innings score. At the lunch break, Saud Shakeel, who scored his first career century, was at the wicket with 101 runs. After Sarfaraz’s dismissal, Agha Salman came into the field and formed a partnership of 53 runs with Saud Shakeel. Agha Salman scored 41 runs and got out off the ball of Ejaz Patel, at that time Pakistan’s score was 385 runs.
New Zealand’s bowlers showed a sharp performance in the last session of the day, dismissing Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah and Mir Hamza in quick succession. Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah got out with 4 runs each and Mir Hamza was not even allowed to open the account by Ash Sodhi. Saud Shakeel and Abrar Ahmed did not allow any more wickets to fall and by the end of the day, Pakistan had scored 407 runs for 9 wickets. Saud Shakeel was playing with 124 runs and Abrar Ahmed did not open the account.
Pakistan is facing a further deficit of 42 runs in response to New Zealand’s first-innings score of 449 runs. The New Zealand team scored 449 runs in the first innings. On the third day of the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand, Pakistan has not been able to take away the lead from New Zealand and it is still 42 runs behind New Zealand.
In response to New Zealand’s 449 runs, Pakistan’s nine players have been dismissed for 407 runs and now only Saud Shakeel and Abrar Ahmed remain at the crease. Saud Shakeel and Sarfraz Ahmed provided support to the team today after a shaky batting performance by Pakistan on Tuesday. Saud Shakeel scored 124 runs off 336 balls while Sarfraz Ahmed scored 78 runs off 109 balls. Apart from them, the most notable score was Imamul Haq who scored 83 runs off 115 balls.
In the second innings, Ijaz Patel was the most successful bowler for New Zealand taking three wickets while Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Daryl Mitchell took one each and Ash Sodhi took two wickets. While Pakistan’s batting struggled as well as came under criticism, Saud Shakeel deserves praise for his century and for staying firmly in place till the end of the day. Saud Shakeel has been the best player Pakistan has been looking for this season. There wasn’t much to celebrate, but his score today is a glimpse of a bright future.
Sarfraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel added 150 runs in 40 overs at an average of 3.75 runs per over. Ever since Sarfaraz got out, Pakistan has scored just 75 runs in 33 overs and the run rate has been just 2.27. Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has returned to the Pakistan squad after a long time and has shown his best batting against New Zealand since his arrival. Although Pakistan’s batting overall has not been anything special against New Zealand and before England, despite this, the individual performances of the players are being discussed.
Saud Shakeel remained in his place but his strike rate was very low ie only 36.90 which is the lowest among all the batsmen in the second innings.
Saud Shakeel played very well, yes he played a slow inning but that was because early wickets fell early and someone had to stay on the pitch.
We should praise them instead of criticizing them.
