‘Dangerous declaration’ – Fans in disarray as Pakistan escape with draw against New Zealand in Karachi

Pakistan and New Zealand locked horns in the first Test of the two-match series in Karachi. The home side was coming off a blackwash against England at home only recently. On the other hand, the defending champions of the World Test Championship, the Blackcaps were knocked out of the finals race long-time back. Meanwhile, in the game, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.

They were in grave trouble after losing four wickets for 110 runs. However, former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and current skipper Babar Aza stitched a partnership of 196 runs to take the team to a decent situation. Ahmed scored 87 while the latter scored 161 runs. After them, Agha Salman scored his maiden Test Hundred and took the team to a good total of 438 all-out.

In reply, the home side’s bowling issues continued in this game too. The Kiwis’ openers, Devon Conway and Tom Lathan stitched a partnership of 189 runs. The former missed his hundred by eight runs while Latham scored 113. Former Test skipper, Kane Williamson was looking for a big score as he hasn’t hit a Test hundred since January 2021.

Notably, his last hundred came against the same team. Meanwhile, he scored a double hundred and remained unbeaten. On the other hand, the useful innings from Daryl Mitchell (42), Tom Blundell (47), and Ish Sodhi (65) helped the team reach 612/9 declared.

Babar Azam makes a brave declaration to make a game out of it

After trailing by 174 runs, the Babar Azam-led side did well in patches but in the end, lost seven wickets for just 206. The likes of Imam Ul Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed scored the fifties each. Notably, they led by only 32 runs when Haq got out. When it looked like the Tim Southee-led side is running away with the game, Saud Shakeel batted well with the tail and scored a well-fought fifty.

When it looked like the game will end in a dull draw, Azam made a surprising declaration. New Zealand needed to chase 138 runs in 15 overs. They were going well with 61/1 in 73 overs before the bad light ended what might have been one of the memorable Test matches.

This is how Twitter reacted

https://twitter.com/_FaridKhan/status/1608801833287577603?s=20

The dangerous declaration by captain Babar Azam should be appreciated regardless of match result. He didn't went for a draw but learnt from past mistakes and opened the doors for match results. #PAKvNZ

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 30, 2022

I think Babar knew that the light wouldn't hold long enough. So he probably thinks Pakistan are safe anyway

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2022

Only once in the history of test cricket has a team been bowled out in less than 15 overs.

And that was in 1924.

That declaration was truly vibes only.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/9XCOE7lCGj

— Change of Pace (@ChangeofPace414) December 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/hazharoon/status/1608786426396835842?s=20

Light brings an early stumps at 61/1 after 7.3 overs & after five days it’s a DRAW! #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/L0LlFgoHhN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 30, 2022

Teams to win 0 home Tests in a year (min 7 Tests):

India in 1983
Pakistan in 2022#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/sMqj4m7j2F

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) December 30, 2022

I bet no other captain even Ben Stokes would not have this amount of courage to declare the innings at this time!

Babar Azam has a league of his own! #BabarAzam #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/V1gVjl5dtL

— Sohaib (@Sohaib_Iqbal_) December 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1608780017403834368?s=20

https://twitter.com/dickjorsey/status/1608804329535987722?s=20

https://twitter.com/jigsactin/status/1608803183207538690?s=20