Pakistan staved off a fifth consecutive defeat at residence with a hard-fought draw within the first Check in Karachi Friday regardless of career-best bowling figures from New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.
Sodhi grabbed 6-86 and threatened to present New Zealand victory within the first two periods on the fifth and ultimate day, however Pakistan fought on earlier than declaring their second innings on 311-8.
That gave New Zealand a troublesome goal of 138 to win in 15 overs, and the chase resulted in fading gentle on 61-1, with Tom Latham unbeaten on 35 and Devon Conway 18.
Michael Bracewell was the one wicket to fall for 3.
Sodhi was the star as he improved on his earlier better of 4-60 in opposition to Zimbabwe in Bulawayo 4 years in the past.
The 30-year-old, taking part in his first Check in 4 years, turned the match in New Zealand’s favour with three wickets within the second session to go away Pakistan on 249-7 at tea with 35 overs left within the match.
However Saud Shakeel, who ended with 55 not out, and Mohammad Wasim (43) defied for 75 minutes and 111 balls throughout their 71-run eighth wicket stand to deprive New Zealand of a win.
Quickly after tea, Sodhi trapped Wasim leg-before, however Mir Hamza (three not out) assisted Shakeel in a ninth-wicket unbroken stand of 34 runs in 50 minutes to additional frustrate the guests.
Shakeel, who hit seven boundaries and a six, constructed on after preventing knocks from Imam-ul-Haq (96) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (53) within the first two periods.
Within the post-lunch session, Sodhi dismissed Sarfaraz, Agha Salman (six) and Haq within the area of 27 balls for the addition of simply 21 runs.
Haq and Sarfaraz had added a defiant 85 runs for the fifth wicket and raised hopes of salvaging a draw for the house group earlier than Sodhi struck.
He had Sarfaraz caught behind, bowled Salman, then received Haq stumped to go away Pakistan on 206-7.
Haq, who survived lbw referrals off the bowler on 58 and 74, cracked 10 boundaries and a six in his sixth half-century, whereas Sarfaraz had seven hits to the rope.
So incensed was he by his dismissal, Haq smashed a chair along with his bat on the best way to the dressing room.
Resuming on 77-2, Pakistan misplaced nightwatchman Nauman Ali early, trapped leg-before by spinner Bracewell.
Then skipper Babar Azam — who scored 161 in Pakistan’s first innings of 438 — was out the identical option to Sodhi for 14.
The second Check begins on the similar venue on Monday.
