PAK vs NZ: Flurry of wickets in last session put game in balance on Day 1

Things were rushing to be another boring day in Karachi as Devon Conway and Kane Williamson were steering the ship, but then Naseem Shah used reserve swing and part-time spin of Agha Salman to put breaks on the New Zealand innings.

Tim Southee of New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Like any other day, Tom Latham and Conway walked out to bat for New Zealand. Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah opened the bowling for Pakistan this day on dark brown turf with scattered green patches.

The openers eased off runs slowly and steadily with boundaries on the looseners. As a result, Abrar Ahmed and Salman were introduced in the first session but the left-handed duo kept on negotiating them watchfully. 

The pair knitted a partnership of 134 runs together before Tom Latham was dismissed for 71 runs off 100 balls. He was done by a slinging delivery from Naseem Shah. 

Conway and Williamson steered the Blackcaps deep for the second wicket partnership and tailored a hundred runs stand. Conway raced to his fourth Test century. 

As soon as they glued a 100 runs partnership, a collapse followed with Conway initiating it. Naseem Shah and Agha Salman did the talking with the old ball. The visitors were reduced to 279-6 from 234-1. 

Tom Blundell hung around at one end with Ish Sodhi blunting the variant attack from the home side. Pakistan were a little late to take the second new ball as they were in quest of some purchase of the patches. Agha Salman was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan today as he bagged a three-for and Naseem Shah claimed two wickets.

Brief Score:

New Zealand - 309/6 (90 overs)
Devon Conway - 122, Tom Latham - 71
Agha Salman - 3/55 (20), Naseem Shah - 2/44 (16)

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