New Zealand foil Pakistan after Salman’s hundred in first Test

Pakistan’s Agha Salman celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the second day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on 27 December 2022 – AFP

KARACHI, AFP: New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham blunted Pakistan bowlers to guide their side to a solid 165 without loss at close on the second day of the first Test in Karachi on Tuesday.

Conway became the fastest New Zealand batter to complete 1,000 runs in his 11th Test when he reached 82 at close and was ably supported by Latham who was unbeaten on 78. The tourists are now 273 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings total of 438 which was spiced up by a brilliant maiden hundred from middle-order batter Agha Salman.

Conway, the South African born left-hander who migrated to New Zealand to boost his career, was lucky to survive a caught behind dismissal on 57 off spinner Nauman Ali.

Pakistan did not challenge home umpire Aleem Dar’s not out decision but television replays showed the batter had edged the ball. Before Conway, John Reid had reached 1,000 career runs in 12 Tests in 1985.

Conway has so far struck 12 boundaries while Latham has eight hits to the rope.

The highlight of Pakistan’s batting was 103 by Salman, who anchored the innings after skipper Babar Azam fell in the first over of the day without adding to his overnight score of 161. Fast bowler Tim Southee forced an edge off Azam’s bat to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell to give a kickstart to New Zealand. Azam struck 16 boundaries and a six in his 365-minute knock. Southee finished with 3-69 and completed 350 wickets in his 89th Test. He is the third New Zealand bowler behind Richard Hadlee (431 in 86 Tests) and Daniel Vettori (362 in 113) to take 350 or more wickets in Tests.

The two-match Test series is New Zealand’s first in Pakistan since 2002.