The opening Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi was heading towards a dull draw before hosts skipper Babar Azam’s shocking declaration made it interesting.

Pakistan declared late on Day 5 with just about 15 overs of play remaining, setting the Kiwis a target of 138. The declaration opened up the Test match with the visitors getting off to a blazing start but play had to be called off early with bad light intervening in the eighth over.

In the fourth innings, Pakistan could only claim one wicket before the Test ended in a draw.

Speaking after the game, Babar opened up on the declaration, saying that they wanted to take a "chance".

"We said we'd go after a result," Babar said after the match. "We took a chance, you never know. It's cricket. Anything can happen.

"Saud and [Mohammad] Wasim Junior's partnership was vital for us because it brought us into the game. That put the idea in my head that we could declare.

"You all will have enjoyed it as well, and it surprised everyone. It was in our mind we'd take a chance because anything can happen."

New Zealand threatened to chase the target down, scoring 61 runs in just 7.3 overs before poor light interrupted play.

"At times you have to take brave decisions and take chances," Babar said.

"As a team and captain, I try and do that. You plan for a result, even if you can't guarantee it."

With this result, Pakistan avoided a fifth consecutive Test defeat at home but the captain acknowledged New Zealand for dominating the Test.

"It's not that we need to play different cricket," Babar said. "We need to take things session by session and day by day.

"We need to be positive and play with aggression. We're working on it. Everyone has a different game and mindset. We need to credit New Zealand with the way they played and dominated."

(With ICC inputs)