Haris Sohail (147) compiled a resilient century and Babar Azam (127 not out) scored his maiden Test hundred as Pakistan declared its first innings at 418 for five against New Zealand in the second Test here on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 127
Dubai:
Sohail and Azam added 186 runs for the fifth wicket. New Zealand couldn’t break the partnership using either spin or seam with both batsmen pushing the fifth-wicket stand. Shortly after tea Sohail was caught by Watling off Trent Boult.
Seamer Colin de Grandhomme (2-44) and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel (1-91) couldn’t add to their Dubai first day’s wickets tally as New Zealand tried six bowlers without success. Neil Wagner’s (0-60) change of pace was also smartly read by both Sohail and Azam as they led Pakistan to a big first innings score. Azam survived a close run out chance just before tea but Ajaz Patel’s throw from point missed the stumps at the striker’s end. Pakistan had a strong second session as they scored 82 runs with Azam, who has hit 10 fours and a six, showing intent to up the scoring rate. Sohail hit 13 fours in his patient knock spanning more than 9-1/2 hours.
New Zealand bowlers couldn’t find any help in the wicket after resuming with the second new ball just seven overs in.
Sohail, who resumed on 81, had some nervy moments on 99 when he played 10 dot balls against Ish Sodhi (0-54) before getting the much deserved 100th run by sending the ball to mid-on against the leg-spinner to complete his century.
It was fourth slowest Test century in terms of balls for a Pakistan player behind former Test opener Mudassar Nazar, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Ali.
Brief scores: Pakistan (1st innings) 418/5 decl. in 167 overs (H Sohail 147, B Azam 127*, A Ali 81) vs New Zealand (1st innings) 24 for no loss
At close of play on the second day, New Zealand was 24 for no loss in nine overs in reply.
Sohail and Azam added 186 runs for the fifth wicket. New Zealand couldn’t break the partnership using either spin or seam with both batsmen pushing the fifth-wicket stand. Shortly after tea Sohail was caught by Watling off Trent Boult.
Seamer Colin de Grandhomme (2-44) and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel (1-91) couldn’t add to their Dubai first day’s wickets tally as New Zealand tried six bowlers without success. Neil Wagner’s (0-60) change of pace was also smartly read by both Sohail and Azam as they led Pakistan to a big first innings score. Azam survived a close run out chance just before tea but Ajaz Patel’s throw from point missed the stumps at the striker’s end. Pakistan had a strong second session as they scored 82 runs with Azam, who has hit 10 fours and a six, showing intent to up the scoring rate. Sohail hit 13 fours in his patient knock spanning more than 9-1/2 hours.
New Zealand bowlers couldn’t find any help in the wicket after resuming with the second new ball just seven overs in.
Sohail, who resumed on 81, had some nervy moments on 99 when he played 10 dot balls against Ish Sodhi (0-54) before getting the much deserved 100th run by sending the ball to mid-on against the leg-spinner to complete his century.
It was fourth slowest Test century in terms of balls for a Pakistan player behind former Test opener Mudassar Nazar, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Ali.
Brief scores: Pakistan (1st innings) 418/5 decl. in 167 overs (H Sohail 147, B Azam 127*, A Ali 81) vs New Zealand (1st innings) 24 for no loss