PAK vs NZ: Shahid Afridi opens up on Sarfaraz Ahmed's gritty 86 under pressure in Karachi

After a shaky start against New Zealand in Karachi, Pakistan needed their experienced batters to step up and rescue them from a humiliating start. Skipper Babar Azam rose to the occasion and played a mature innings to take the hosts out of a precarious situation.

Babar needed someone to aid him in taking Pakistan to safer shores and he found that partner in the form of former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. The 35-year-old arrived after Pakistan’s fourth dismissal and played a sensible knock to save Pakistan from sinking. The former skipper on his return to the team scored 86 runs off 153 deliveries to help the team regain momentum.

Shahid Afridi, who has been appointed as the new interim chief selector of the side, was delighted with Sarfaraz’s knock and mentioned that his selection eventually proved to be the right call. The former cricketer also congratulated the Pakistan skipper for his brilliant century in the first innings.

“Pleased with Pakistan's performance today, great comeback after the early loss of wickets. Special praise for Babar for another outstanding innings. Sarfaraz proved his selection right, excellent performance for him under pressure,” the 45-year-old tweeted after the end of the first day’s play.

Pleased with Pakistan's performance today, great comeback after the early loss of wickets. Special praise for Babar for another outstanding innings. Sarfaraz proved his selection right, excellent performance for him under pressure.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) December 26, 2022

Agha Salman’s impactful knock put Pakistan in driver’s seat

After losing three wickets in the first 15 overs, Pakistan were struggling to get going. However, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed stabilized the situation but a lot of work was still left. Given New Zealand’s ability with the bat, the hosts needed to pile up a lot of runs in the first innings and Agha Salman towards the end managed to help Pakistan achieve that.

Batting at number seven, the 29-year-old scored an important century and put Pakistan in the driver's seat. The Babar Azam-led side scored 438 runs before getting the side wrapped up on day 2 of the Karachi Test.