The bowler helped Pakistan return to the Second Test in the afternoon session on the fourth day, reducing New Zealand to 15 1/4 from the tees by three main wickets. Playing cautiously, the visitors only extended their lead to 192. This was largely due to his 109-run partnership for his second wicket between Tom Latham (62) and Kane Williamson (41).
After conceding a narrow 41-point lead, Mir Hamza made the early breakthrough Pakistan needed when they scored their first goal. A long ball tweaked slightly and bounced off Devon into his Conway pad stump. The shape opener bagged the golden duck.
Abrar Ahmed then convinced Babar Azam to bring up two LBW appeals against Kane Williamson, which the Pakistani captain did, albeit reluctantly. Williamson, who hit seven at the time, had nothing to worry about as both slipped their feet. He became his fifth man to reach 14th place and in third place he became the first man from New Zealand to complete 7000 test runs.
The pair have steadily recovered from early losses and cautious starts. Latham played some delicious drives, but he luckily hit a few more limits, where he passed slips and gully fielders harmlessly. Hasan Ali gave Williamson a spell early on with some short balls, but the former captain dragged them to the fence.
Just before lunch Pakistan introduced spins from both ends but Aga Salman started with some loose balls and was duly punished by Latham. Impact reviewed.
More DRS drama on the other side of the session break as Pakistan managed to turn the tables with three consecutive hits after New Zealand crossed the 100-run mark and Latham hit his 25th Test 50. It was done. game.
When hosts decided to turn down reviews, the pressure to prematurely burn some of their reviews was evident. Latham got lucky with the number 57 and the rep confirmed three reds, frustrating Babber and Abrar. However, Spinner single-handedly pulled away the stunner midway through the next wicket, adding another boundary to the tally before sending the batsman back.
Abrar eventually got Alex Wharf to allow Williamson to dismiss his LBW, this time the hitter checked. The “referee’s call” when the ball hit Stump’s leg worked in favor of the bowler and allowed the decision to be confirmed on the field. Williamson missed half a century with 9 as New Zealand lost both set batsmen in back-to-back overs after a century stand. Worf had also given Tom Blundell LBW the next ball, but this time the review showed a weak inside edge, again disappointing Abrar.
The two new batsmen entered the drink well, but Pakistan had their tails up and Hasan Ali helped them advance in quick succession on the third wicket. Henry Nichols reversed a caught call using a throwback to the first ball and died trying to cross the line, landing right above center where Babber was safely pocketed.
Blundell and Michael Bracewell, both promoted in the batting order due to Darryl Mitchell’s illness, took the visitors to the tee in a 23-run partnership, although the latter struggled to pick off Abrar. The leg spinner could have had a second scalp to his name had it not been for Sirfraz Ahmed groping behind the stumps and giving Blundell reprieve in the pre-break final.
Early in the morning, New Zealand needed him only six balls to end Pakistan’s first innings at 408.
Brief scores: New Zealand 449 & 151/4 (Tom Latham 62; Abrar Ahmed 1-51, Hasan Ali 1-27) lead Pakistan 408, by 192 runs.