Pakistan skipper Babar Azam continued his stellar run with the bat in the last match of the year too, slamming a brilliant century in the first innings of the opening Test against New Zealand in Karachi.
Babar smashed spinner Michael Bracewell for a six towards mid-wicket to notch up his ninth Test ton. It was his fourth Test hundred in 2022.
Pakistan were struggling on 115/4 at lunch on the opening day, before Babar joined forces with Sarfaraz Ahmed (86 off 153 balls) and stitched an impressive 196-run stand for the fifth wicket to bail the hosts out of trouble.
At the close of play on Day 1, Babar Azam stayed unbeaten on 161, taking his team to a strong position at 317/5 in 90 overs. His 277-ball knock was studded with 15 fours and 1 six. Agha Salman, 3 not out, was on the crease with the Pakistan captain at stumps on Day 1.
For his stunning century, Babar Azam garnered rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
Here are the reactions:
