It was a day of firsts in Karachi throughout Day 1 of the primary Test between Pakistan and New Zealand as Kiwi wicketkeeper Tom Blundell produced a feat by no means seen earlier than in 145 years of Men’s Test cricket. While historical past was made previous to the toss with New Zealand taking part in in Pakistan for a Test sequence for the primary time since 2002 and veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed incomes a recall for what was his first Test on dwelling soil in his fiftieth look, what then occurred in the course of the first session was a primary in Men’s Test cricket.

Newly appointed skipper Tim Southee launched veteran spinner Ajaz Patel into the assault within the fourth over and the transfer paid dividends nearly instantly as Abdullah Shafique was out stumped by Blundell for seven. Three overs later, the Kiwis had their second wicket and Shan Masood perished this time, with the left-hander stumped by Blundell off Michael Bracewell‘s supply. It meant the primary two dismissals of the Test had been stumpings, a feat which had by no means been seen beforehand on the Test stage for males.

It is the second time it had occurred total, with the Women’s Test between Australia and the West Indies in Jamaica in 1976 additionally commencing with two stumping dismissals.

Bracewell dismissed the normally dependable Imam-ul-Haq shortly after – the Pakistan opener was out caught – giving New Zealand a wonderful begin to the Test match and to the sequence.

Spinners Michael Bracewell and Ajaz Patel grabbed three wickets between them to depart Pakistan struggling on 115-4 at lunch Monday on the opening day of the primary Test in Karachi.

Bracewell dismissed Shan Masood for 3 and Imam-ul-Haq for twenty-four, whereas Patel took the early wicket of Abdullah Shafique for seven after Pakistan gained the toss and opted to bat.

In the penultimate over earlier than lunch, quick bowler Tim Southee dismissed Saud Shakeel for 22 to finish a profitable session for the vacationers, taking part in their first Test sequence in Pakistan since 2002.

At the break, skipper Babar Azam was unbeaten on 54 — his twenty seventh Test half-century — and the recalled Sarfaraz Ahmed was on 4.

With AFP Inputs

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