Pakistan’s experienced wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed impressed everyone with a well-made 86 against New Zealand in the Karachi Test but he is having a terrible outing behind the stumps.
He missed an important stumping opportunity and a couple of catches as well and then went on to make a mistake that cost Pakistan 5 penalty runs.
New Zealand gets 5 penalty runs in Karachi Test as the ball hits Pakistan’s helmet
The Kiwis side has put themselves in a commanding position in the first test of the two-match series. New Zealand’s top three Conway, Latham and Williamson came all guns blazing against the Pakistan bowlers but it was the mistakes made by the Pakistan team in the field that made things worse for them.
One such rare instance took place in the 160th over bowled by Nauman Ali. The third ball of his over, pitched down the leg stump and didn’t turn enough to trouble Williamson as he just tried padding the delivery but the ball missed his pads. Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed too couldn’t collect it as the ball went through Sarfaraz’s legs and then made contact with his helmet lying on the ground and then sped past the ropes.
As a result, New Zealand were rewarded with five penalty runs as per ICC’s Law 28.3.3. Sarfaraz Ahmed was already on the radar of Pakistan cricket fans as he had missed a crucial stumping chance of Williamson and a couple of catches as well. This rare mistake made by the 36-year old wicketkeeper brought him more criticism on his return to Test cricket after four long years.
"We have to stop for a concussion protocol?" 🤔
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 29, 2022
Five penalty runs to New Zealand after the ball hits the helmet 🪖#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/JtFelmUgal
Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson added 159 runs for the seventh wicket on the fourth day along with Ish Sodhi who scored a hard-fought 65. This partnership helped the Kiwis side to put a strong total of 612-9 before declaring the innings and calling Pakistan batters to bat in the second innings.
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At the end of the day’s play, Pakistan is placed at 77-2 and they are still trailing behind the New Zealand total by 97 runs as they will try to save the test on the last day on a rather flat-looking Karachi pitch.