New Zealand 128-4 after dismissing Pakistan for 408
On Day 4 of the second Test Match, New Zealand was able to take back the reigns in their hands after losing an early wicket of the opener Devon Conway (0). Tom Latham and Kane Williamson gave the New Zealand batting the steadiness it needed. Opener Tom Latham scored a half century (62) while Kane Williamson scored (41).
Naseem Shah gave Pakistan the breakthrough it needed in the 35th over by taking the wicket of Tom Latham and breaking the partnership that could have been very dangerous for the Pakistan side. Spinner Abrar Ahmed came in the next over and sent the former skipper Kane Williamson back to the pavilion putting Pakistan in a favorable position.
Pakistan in its first innings of batting managed to score 408 runs in response to the 449 runs scored by New Zealand. The Pakistani batting performance was a mixed bag of some good and some below average performances. Opener Imam ul Haq scored a half century (83) while Abdullah Shafique (19), Shan Masood (20) and skipper Babar Azam (24) got out cheaply. It was Saud Shakeel who proved to the standout performance. He scored his maiden century (125) not out and was able to bring Pakistan side closer to the target set by the guests. Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed who is playing his first Test series after four years seems to be in a form and scored yet another half century in this series (78) proving to be a good support to Saud Shakeel and having a 150 run partnership.
After Sarfaraz Ahmed got out by Daryl Mitchell, Pakistani batting side collapsed, the wickets kept on all on regular intervals which resulted in Saud Shakeel also not being able to score many runs.