Why are the Black Caps wearing black armbands today in Karachi Test: Why are NZ cricketers wearing black armbands today 2022?

All it took was an over for New Zealand to pick the last Pakistani wicket on the fourth day of the second Test match in Karachi. Spinner Abrar Ahmed (0), who had survived nine balls in the last session yesterday, was found wanting on the first Ish Sodhi delivery that he faced today.

The onus of making something of this otherwise mundane Test match instantly fell on New Zealand as it is up to them now as to what they make of a 41-run first innings lead.

Although a first-ball dismissal for opener Devon Conway (0) wasn’t ideal, New Zealand can still put themselves in a dominating position assuming they increase the run rate in the next two sessions to become the third team to register a bold declaration in the last month or so. In such a scenario, Pakistan will be left chasing a challenging total on the fifth day of the match.

For now, opening batter Tom Latham and former captain Kane Williamson have spent the morning session in a conventional manner. Playing at a strike rate of less than 35, Williamson particularly will have to up the ante after lunch to enable his team to score quick runs throughout the remainder of the day.

Why are the Black Caps wearing black armbands today in Karachi Test?

As fans must have noticed by now, visiting cricketers are wearing black armbands since morning. For the unversed, the same has been done as a mark of respect and tribute towards former New Zealand fast bowler Frank Cameron.

Cameron, 90, passed away in Christchurch on Wednesday. While the exact cause of death remains unknown, there are reports of him suffering an age-related illness.

Cameron had played 19 Tests between 1961-1965 picking 62 wickets at an average of 29.82, an economy rate of 2.42 and a strike rate of 73.7. Cameron, who had picked three five-wicket hauls in the format, registered career-best bowling figures of 23-11-34-5 against Pakistan in Auckland.