“Wanted to get a result”: Babar Azam reveals why Pakistan declared innings in 1st Karachi Test vs New Zealand

Pakistan captain Babar Azam wholeheartedly credited batter Saud Shakeel (55*) and pacer Mohammad Wasim (43) for putting together a match-saving 71-run partnership for the eighth wicket right after the hosts lost three wickets in a row in the afternoon session. Had it not been for these two standing up when it mattered the most, Pakistan could have easily lost the match as all they had was a 32-run lead at that point in time.

Coming in to bat as low as No. 8, Shakeel scored a fifth Test half-century in his eighth innings. Wasim, on the other hand, justified his batting potential for the first time in his 17th innings for Pakistan across formats.

“[Mohammad] Wasim [Jr] and Saud [Shakeel] brought us back in the match. Credit to them for playing positive cricket. Saud played a mature innings and we look forward to him playing in the future,” Azam told the host broadcaster during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Babar Azam reveals why Pakistan declared innings in Karachi Test

Been whitewashed 0-3 by England earlier this month, Babar Azam appears to have taken a leaf out of English captain Ben Stokes’ book with respect to making bold declarations in order to push for a Test victory.

Keep aside not been able to reap fruits like Stokes, Azam’s decision had it in it to result in a fifth consecutive Test loss at home for Pakistan. Having said that, Azam’s decision was surely responsible for increasing the entertainment quotient in the last one hour of the match – something that was missing throughout the first four days of the recently concluded first Test match against New Zealand in Karachi.

Chasing a 138-run target in 15 overs, New Zealand had scored 61/1 in 7.3 overs when the on-field umpires decided to stop the match due to bad light at the National Stadium. Although there was an option of resuming play post an improvement in light, the same rarely happens in the winter season in this part of the world.

“As you know, we wanted to get a result. As I said at the toss, we went for the declaration. But the light was not good enough,” Azam added.