The final morning of the Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan saw the home team’s spinners make a strong start, taking three crucial wickets in the first session. However, the second session was a slower, wicketless one, as Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel put up a resilient 99-run partnership, bringing Pakistan closer to saving the game after a collapse in the first session.

Sarfaraz was the more aggressive of the two, scoring his 22nd Test half-century with some strong sweeping shots. Shakeel, on the other hand, played a more defensive role, facing 129 balls for his score of 27.

The target for Pakistan was 319 runs, and they began the day on 0/2. Imam-ul-Haq was the first to fall, trying to hit Ish Sodhi off the rough and missing, resulting in his stumps being hit. This left Pakistan at 35/3, in a difficult position. However, Shan Masood and Babar Azam tried to keep the momentum going, with the captain hitting five boundaries in his 27.

Masood was caught by Tom Blundell off a thin edge while attempting to glance a ball from Michael Bracewell. This was quickly followed by the dismissal of Babar, who was also caught by Blundell down the legside after being bowled by Bracewell.

Despite these setbacks, Sarfaraz and Shakeel managed to steady the ship and frustrate New Zealand’s victory bid, which had gained traction after the first session. Together, they faced 225 balls, putting up a strong resistance as Pakistan tried to save the game.