Pak vs NZ 1st Test: New Zealand’s Tom Latham Brings Up Test Century In Karachi

2023/01/05

The left-handed batsman scored runs across all parts of the ground to join Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha as the centurions in the first Test.

Pak vs NZ 1st Test: New Zealand’s Tom Latham Brings Up Test Century In Karachi

Devon Conway heavily supported him, who scored 92 runs before being judged LBW by Nauman Ali. The pair added a partnership of 183 runs.

Tom Latham’s Dominance In Asia

It feels like Asia seems to be the perfect habitat for Tom Latham. The 30-year-old was aggressive right from the word "go" and took on the inexperienced Pakistan Cricket Team bowlers for fun.

Abrar Ahmad attracted a lot of headlines after his 10-wicket haul in the second Test against England recently. However, he was quickly nullified by Tom Latham as he made Azam run out of wicket-taking options immediately.

The left-handed batsman brought up his century in the 60th over. With this century, Tom Latham adds to his outstanding numbers in Asia.

The New Zealand Cricket Team opener has already scored two centuries in the UAE and one in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he has scored five half-centuries across ten innings in India. It is his third century against Pakistan Cricket Team, but first in the hometown of the Greens.

Tom Latham’s Dominance In Asia

Tom Latham's 13th ton also takes him beyond John Wright in most Test centuries by a New Zealand Cricket Team opening batsman. Wright scored 12 centuries across 144 Tests.

Since 2017, the left-handed batsman has scored 2400 Test runs across 58 innings. Only Dimuth Karunaratne of Sri Lanka is the opener with more runs to his name in this period.

With the numbers he is producing in the Asian conditions, you can almost sense that he will continue this rich vein of form in the second Test.

More importantly, as next year's World Cup will be in India, it remains to be seen how the New Zealand cricket board manages him for that mega edition.

Tom Latham undoubtedly is one of the best Test batsmen of this era, and this isn't the last time you will hear of him.

Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st Test: Match Summary

Pakistan Cricket Team were bowled out for 438 in the first innings, with skipper Azam, Agha, and Sarfaraz Ahmed the main highlights of the Pakistan Cricket Team first innings.

Azam and Agha scored centuries, whereas returning wicketkeeper Ahmed made 86. Although it was hard work for the New Zealand bowlers for most parts, they can still be proud of their collective effort.

New Zealand Cricket Team captain Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers as he took three wickets, including the wickets of the two centurions. Michael Bracewell, Ajaz Patel, and Ish Sodhi contributed with two wickets each.

Pakistan vs. New Zealand 1st Test: Match Summary

Unlike the Pakistan Cricket Team innings, New Zealand Cricket Team got off to an exquisite start thanks to their openers, i.e., Tom Latham and Conway. They took advantage of a batting-friendly wicket and an inexperienced Pakistan Cricket Team bowling lineup to score runs for free.

As the pitch became flatter and flatter, the Kiwi batsmen found it easier to bat. At the end of Day 2, the New Zealand Cricket Team openers remained unbeaten on 165 runs. However, their strong opening partnership was finally broken at the start of Day 3, when Ali trapped Conway on the pads.

Shortly after, Tom Latham brought his century by sweeping to the backward square leg. Abrar dismissed Tom Latham after falling to a reverse sweep.

Despite losing both the openers at the start of Day 3, the Black Caps are in control as they try to eliminate Pakistan Cricket Team's lead.

This is the first Test series played by New Zealand Cricket Team since Kane Williamson left the role as Test captain of the Black Caps.

More Cricket Related News

  1. Virat Kohli News: Virat Kohli Drops Multiple Catches In 2nd Bangladesh Test Match
  2. Pakistan’s Salman Agha Brings Up Fighting Century In Karachi
  3. Brendon McCullum Breaks Down England Cricket Team’s History
  4. Pak vs Eng Watch: Azhar Ali Walks Back One Last Time As Pakistan Cricket Test Batsman
  5. Bang vs Ind 1st TEST: India’s Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli give a send-off to Litton Das

Continue to take care of the majority of Esball Eu loyal players!

Now! Esball Eu is once again launching the Sign Up free ₹100 Welcome Bonus  and 200% JILI Slot Game Bonus For First Deposit Casino Promotion. 

You can also click to enter the Online Casino Bonus & Promo introduction, which provides more diverse casino bonuses.