PAK vs NZ, 2nd Test: Battle of honor for Pakistan, Kiwis have a chance to end 54 years of drought
The year 2022 was very disappointing for the Pakistan cricket team in terms of Test format. The Babar Azam-led side could not win a single Test at home and ended the year with a draw in the first Test against New Zealand. However, amid changes in the top management and injuries to top players, they will be hoping for a good start to the new year. Babar and Co. have to play the second and last match of the two-match series against New Zealand in Karachi from January 2 (Monday). This is the same ground where the first match between the two teams ended in a draw.
New Zealand hasn’t won a Test series in Pakistan since 54 years
By winning this match, Pakistan will try to maintain their dominance of the home Test series against New Zealand. While the visiting team will be aiming to win the Test series in Pakistan for the second time after 54 years. Significantly, the New Zealand team won the Test series in Pakistan for the last time in 1969-70. Whereas in 1996-97 the series between the two countries ended in a 1-1 draw.
Disappointing performance of both teams in Tests in 2022
Coming to the current series, the Pakistan Cricket Board was forced to move both the Tests to Karachi due to weather concerns in Multan. Friday’s draw ended the four-match losing streak for both the teams, with Pakistan losing 0-3 to England. England defeated New Zealand before defeating Pakistan. Pakistan are seventh in the ICC World Test Championship table while it is a very disappointing performance for New Zealand as they are languishing at eighth this time after defeating India in the opening-stage final at Lord’s last year.
Pakistani batsmen other than Babar flopped
Looking at Pakistan cricket, captain Babar Azam was the top scorer in Test matches in 2022 with 1184 runs (in nine Tests) but other batsmen of the team could not come close to their captain’s form, although at the end of the year Saud Shakeel made his debut. Scored runs continuously since then and gave strong signals. He has scored five half-centuries in four Tests and saved Pakistan from defeat by scoring an unbeaten 55 in the last Test.
Babar hopes for a good performance
Babar said playing against higher-ranked teams like Australia, England and New Zealand has given the team players a lot of experience. He said on Sunday that we have not performed as expected in red ball cricket. Three teams higher than us in the rankings played in Pakistan, so we got a lot to learn from.
