PAK v NZ 2022-23: WATCH - Sarfaraz Ahmed celebrates his ton emotionally; gets applauded by teammates and wife

The match was called off with three overs left due to fading light.

By Saurabh Malhotra - 06 Jan, 2023

The second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi ended in a thrilling draw with Pakistan's last pair playing out 3.3 overs before umpires asked the players to walk off in fading light with three overs still left.

Pakistan, who were at 304/9, needed 15 more runs while New Zealand were a wicket away from a series win, but the teams had to settle for 0-0 draw.

Resuming at 0/2, requiring 319 to win, Pakistan slumped to 80/5 before Sarfaraz Ahmed (118) stitched crucial partnerships with Saud Shakeel (32) and Salman Agha (30) to help Pakistan recover to 273/6. 

Just when Pakistan were raising hopes of a miraculous win, Salman was dismissed and thereafter the hosts chose to play out the remaining overs to save the match and series. Sarfaraz, who had started cramping up, was the ninth man to be dismissed but Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed batted bravely and ensured New Zealand couldn't complete the win.

Sarfaraz, playing his first-ever Test series at home, ended up scoring three half-centuries and eventually his fourth Test hundred to win the Player-of-the-Series award for his 335 runs.

The former captain celebrated his special hundred emotionally and received a standing ovation from his teammates as well as his wife in the stands.

 

By Saurabh Malhotra - 06 Jan, 2023

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