PAK VS NZ - 1st Test, New Zealand tour of Pakistan, 2022-23

Just glancing the scorecard will make this Test match seem like a dull draw on a very flat track. And it was that way for large parts, but it really came to life today. Full marks to Babar Azam for declaring in the second innings with one hour to play, but as much as we can praise his thought process, we have to ask questions about the pitches in Pakistan. For most parts of the Test match, we had empty stadiums, and it was a snoozefest. We need to prepare better pitches, better balls here, Test cricket can't be kept alive on the back off gutsy declarations. Something to ponder about as we close out the year, think about it! For now, this is Saurabh Shankar signing off on behalf of Praveen. Take care!

Babar Azam: Definitely a brave declaration. We wanted to see a result, light wasn't good enough. Our fifth bowler was Salman, but after first innings he wasn't well, he was sick for two days. I don't think we were a bowler short. The way Saud and Wasim Jr played, credit to them for playing positive cricket and getting up that partnership.

Tim Southee: I wouldn't say the win slipped away. Credit to the guys, we had to play in the field for a long time to create ten chances. They played nicely, it has taken a long 4-5 days and there was a bit of assistance today. Tremendous for Ish, hasn't played Test cricket for a long time, he can be extremely proud. Not only with the ball, but with the bat as well with that partnership with Kane. It wasn't too different from usual, we are a tight group with Kane and Tom out there. Nice to get out there and do things!

Kane Williamson | Player of the Match: Fantastic opening partnership set the tone, it was really important. Then it was about trying to get a feel for the surface and build some partnerships. They were varied in momentum, but got us to a strong position. They know these conditions well, but for us it was about sticking to the plans. A good batting surface, but it was nice to see the rough come in as well. Nice to see someone like Imam bat in the second innings. I thought he did an outstanding job. A great game of cricket, a bit old school in the Test arena now but fairly balanced. Quick turnaround now for the second one. Nice to spend some time out there and make a contribution, you always try to improve. You have to do things a bit differently here than back home.

The second innings saw Pakistan losing two wickets on day four, and today seemed to be heading towards a dull draw. But a combination of rough and the inability to read Ish Sodhi's variations made the game interesting. Imam-ul-Haq countered spin brilliantly by dancing down the track, but missed once and was stumped four short of a century. Saud Shakeel then steered Pakistan safe when a defeat could have been on the cards, as Ish Sodhi ended with career best figures of 6/86. Then came the biggest surprise, as Babar declared with an hour to play and dangled the carrot for the Kiwis. A gutsy, creditable declaration to keep the crowds entertained, and Latham and Conway did entertain by going into T20 mode. However, bad light played spoilsport and after just 7.3 overs of the final innings, we had to call it a draw.

17:27 Local Time, 12:27 GMT, 17:57 IST: My and my colleagues coming into the morning expected this Test to meander towards a dull draw. A draw it has been, but nothing dull about it. A game that was dominated by bat for the first four days, with the flatness of the surface making it a snoozefest. Footnotes from those days, a Babar Azam first innings century, a maiden Salman Agha ton and Sarfaraz Ahmed announcing his return to Test cricket with fifties in both innings. Pakistan put on 438 in their first innings, and New Zealand replied with an even better performance themselves. Both their openers got fifties, and while Conway couldn't convert, his partner Latham got a ton. The former skipper Kane Williamson then joined the party, batting on and on to score his first 200 outside of New Zealand. Pakistani bowlers toiled for 195 overs in the field, but young Abrar had a fifer to show for it. In the end, NZ closed out at 612/9 declared.

Once again Aleem Dar checks the light. Unfortunately, too dark! Everyone's a bit confused with what's happened suddenly. We were having so much fun for a change in this Test, man! Come on, Aleem Dar. But of course safety comes first, players shake hands and that'll be all. The first Test ends as a draw.

Mohammad Wasim Jr to Conway, no run, too wide outside off, Wasim Jr lucky to not be penalised

Mohammad Wasim Jr to Latham, 1 run, shorter length outside off, Latham shuffles closer to slap away to deep mid-wicket

Mohammad Wasim Jr to Conway, 1 run, full and straight, slammed on the bounce to long-on

Light meters are on. But good to continue for now...

Mir Hamza to Latham, no run, good length outside off, bounces over Latham who attempts a big slog

Mir Hamza to Latham, no run, pace off outside off, Latham can't reach it!

Mir Hamza to Conway, 1 run, good length on off, Conway edges it onto his knee and scampers for the single. He's limping with the impact now..

Mir Hamza to Latham, 1 run, another slower ball, foxes Latham who chips it short of mid-on. Single taken

Mir Hamza to Conway, 1 run, slower length ball, Conway cuts it onto the pitch and scampers for the single. We have entered peak T20 mode with that ball!

Mir Hamza to Latham, 1 run, back of a length on off, steered towards third-man

Mir Hamza, comes into the attack

Mohammad Wasim Jr to Latham, 1 run, full and wide, driven to mid-off to retain strike

Mohammad Wasim Jr to Latham, no run, full outside off, hides it too far away and Latham can't reach it