PAK vs NZ: Twitter reacts as batters make merry on benign Karachi pitch on 2nd day

New Zealand finally found some joy in the ongoing Test series opener against Pakistan in Karachi after their opening batters Devon Conway and Tom Latham stitched up an unbeaten 165-run opening stand on the second day. Babar Azam will have a lot of thinking to do after his bowlers were rendered toothless after their first innings folded for 438 runs.

The Kiwis toiled hard in the field for more than four sessions in the series opener, but it was the turn of the home side to face the heat as the opening pair of Devon Conway, and Tom Latham provided a solid start for their side. Conway, who has had a prolific year in the longest format of the game, was first to his half-century before Latham raised the bat for his milestone as well.

The opening pair dealt with everything that Pakistan had to offer, including their skipper Babar Azam, who rolled over his arms for a few overs of gentle off-spin. Unless Pakistan turn things around quickly in the early hours of the third day, they could be in for a long few sessions in this Test match.

Agha Salman's fighting maiden century helps Pakistan to a massive total

The visitors had a dream start to the second day after Tim Southee nicked off his opposite number in the first over to halt his progress on 161 runs. Babar's dismissal sent the hosts on the back foot, despite being largely untroubled on a benign surface. The Kiwis managed to grab another two wickets in the session to make a bright start on the second day of the series opener.

Despite no contribution of any significance from the other end, Agha Salman displayed commendable application and desire while batting with the tail. The 29-year-old all-rounder did not give the visitors a sniff during his innings and went on to register his maiden Test century for the Asian outfit. However, he was dismissed soon after breaching the three-figure mark, trying an ugly hoick as the Pakistani innings concluded on 438 runs. 

Kiwi skipper Tim Southee led from the front with a three-for while the spin trio of Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, and Ish Sodhi grabbed two wickets apiece. 

Here is how Twitter reacted to a dominating batting performance from the Kiwi openers on the second day:

Tom Latham and Devon Conway have laid a solid foundation for New Zealand 💪#PAKvNZ | #WTC23 | 📝 https://t.co/HdzZd87PUv pic.twitter.com/Ug19tFKBgs

— ICC (@ICC) December 27, 2022

Babar Azam showed his full potential in Test cricket this year 🙌#PAKvNZ #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/6pyti1kvsZ

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 27, 2022

A testing final session for the bowlers as New Zealand reduce the deficit to 273 runs 🏏#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/Cak23C4kYg

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 27, 2022

It's stumps on Day 2, an eventful day of Test cricket comes to a close!

Tom Latham and Devon Conway put New Zealand in a commanding position at the end of the day's play.#CricTracker #PAKvNZ #Test pic.twitter.com/y9peaaMMqh

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 27, 2022

I think it’s fair to say things have gone too far. #PakvsNZ pic.twitter.com/brtRh4xHjd

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) December 27, 2022

Well played @SalmanAliAgha1 👏. #PakvsNZ

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) December 27, 2022

I really hope Wasim Jr gets some reverse swing going as the ball gets older because he probably is our best bet to take wickets here otherwise we are in for some toil in Karachi. New Zealand would want to pile up runs and take Pakistan's win out of the equation. #PAKvNZ

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 27, 2022

A fantastic start to the innings for New Zealand, they finish Day Two in Karachi on 165-0.

Tom Latham and Devon Conway both with unbeaten half-centuries.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/pti94iKuiV

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 27, 2022

Tom Latham has now crossed 2400 runs and taken his average to 44.5.

Among Pakistan openers, only Imam Ul Haq has played 35 Test innings for Pakistan in last five years and he averages 36 in that period. Pakistan just won't stick to their openers to let them develop. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/DV4jHbzSug

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 27, 2022