Pakistan vs New Zealand

New Zealand pulled out of the Pakistan series citing security reasons in 2021 and hence their return this time has added an extra spice to the competition.

SonyLIV, the official OTT platform of Sony Sports Network will provide live Streaming of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series on its online platforms in India. The Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st Test will be played at the National Stadium on December 26 (Monday). Pakistan versus New Zealand will be streamed on the Sony Sports network and streamed on Sony Liv app from 10:30 AM IST. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2022 08:00 AM IST. Ajaz Patel has done well in the subcontinent wickets in the past and he will be a key here. After a disastrous test series at home against England, the Pakistan cricket team gears up to host New Zealand in a two game test series.

PAK vs NZ 1st Test: Get the Live Score Updates, Commentary, Scorecard and Highlights from Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st Test, Day 1 in Karachi.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam hit his 9th Test hundred to rescue the hosts after a mini top-order collapse against New Zealand in the series opener.

Babar's dominance in Test cricket can be verified by the fact that he has now scored four Test hundreds as a captain in 2022, which is the most by any international skipper. Notably, Misbah-ul-Haq (8) holds the record for most Test hundreds as Pakistan captain. The Pakistan captain stood tall after getting a reprieve on 12 and also survived an lbw television referral in Ish Sodhi's first over.

CRR: 3.89. Batting, R(B), 4s, 6s, SR. Babar Azam*, 117(174), 11, 1, 67.24. Sarfaraz Ahmed, 35(61), 6, 0, 57.38. Bowling, O, M, R, W.

75.6 Ajaz Patel to Sarfaraz, 3 runs, short and wide, Sarfaraz leans closer to cut it through cover point in the gap. 75.3 Ajaz Patel to Sarfaraz, no run, tossed up on middle, defended to the right of the bowler No fielder behind the wicket on the off side and that's four!

CRR: 3.86. Batting, R(B), 4s, 6s, SR. Babar Azam*, 77(123), 9, 0, 62.6. Sarfaraz Ahmed, 16(23), 3, 0, 69.57. Bowling, O, M, R, W. Neil Wagner*, 2.1, 0, 7, 0.

55.2 Wagner to Babar Azam, no run, a loosener outside off, left alone 55.6 Wagner to Babar Azam, no run, good length outside off, Babar makes a late decision to leave 57.6 Wagner to Babar Azam, no run, full outside off, no need to play. 57.1 Wagner to Babar Azam, 1 run, full outside off, driven to the sweeper And a different Pakistan has emerged post Lunch as well. It was as though both sessions were played on different surfaces - in the morning there was sharp turn and bounce, and after Lunch it has gotten as flat as old soda.

Bracewell and Ajaz reduced Pakistan to 48 for 3 before Babar and Shakeel brought a semblance of stability to the Innings.

He was welcomed with a loud cheer from the Karachi crowd and his only scoring shot until now was a boundary down the ground off Sodhi. However, Southee returned for a second spell before lunch, tempting Shakeel to drive away from his body and earning his reward as the left-hand batter, on 22, sliced it to the gully fielder. He made the most of being dropped by first slip at 12 and, with his seventh four, brought up his half-century in 76 balls. Both batters feasted on the spinners, first off the back foot and then off the front as they grew in confidence. Pakistan went to lunch at 115 for 4 in 30 overs, with Babar's 27th half-century holding their innings together and [Sarfaraz Ahmed](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/sarfaraz-ahmed-227760)giving him company on 4. However, Imam fell for 24 off the last ball before drinks after charging down the track to loft Bracewell over his head.