PAK vs NZ overs left today Day 5: How many overs remaining in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd Karachi Test?

New Zealand have been able to pick an early wicket on the fifth day of the second Test match against Pakistan at the National Stadium. Spinner Ish Sodhi has not only picked another wicket at a crucial juncture in the series but also forced batter Imam-ul-Haq (12) in playing a false shot.

It all happened on the 56th delivery of the day when Haq stepped down the track to possibly drive Sodhi through the cover region. However, with the ball turning sharply into the left-handed batter, Haq completely missed making contact with the ball only to see it hitting the off-stump.

Having lost a couple of wickets for no run while chasing a 319-run target last evening, the last thing Pakistan needed today was losing a wicket in the first hour. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that another wicket or two in an extended morning session due to Friday prayers in Pakistan will really be of severe concern for the home team in Karachi.

While their batters would be confident on the back of drawing the first Test at the same venue in similar circumstances, it will require some effort from them to do the same for the second consecutive time especially if they lose more wickets in the morning session.

PAK vs NZ overs left Day 5

A full uninterrupted day of Test cricket will require Pakistan to bat for 90 overs to prevent a loss. With New Zealand bowling 2.5 overs in the evening session on Thursday, expect around a total of 93 overs to be bowled in this innings.

If truth be told, Pakistan can score the required number of runs in these many overs but the same will only happen after they make it a point to bat aggressively throughout the day. Considering their batters’ approach with the bat in hand during this home season, one doesn’t expect them to try to score in vicinity of 300 runs with seven wickets in hand on a Day 5 pitch.

ALSO READ: When and where to watch second Pakistan vs New Zealand Karachi Test?

This story will be updated with respect to the number of overs left after the conclusion of the first and second sessions on the final day of the series.

UPDATE: Pakistan need 140 runs with five wickets in hand to win this match in the last session. With 62 overs being bowled till tea, a minimum of 31 overs are to be bowled in the final session of this series.