In a dramatic dpraw on Day 5 of play at the National Bank Arena in Karachi, the second and final Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand came to a close. However, Pakistan was in control and appeared to be cruising to a historic victory as they chased down 319 with experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed scoring an incredible 118 runs.
The centurion Sarfaraz was single-handedly threatening to win the game for them while suffering from cramping, but the Kiwi bowlers mounted a miraculous recovery in the final 30 minutes of the day’s play.
Despite the unfortunate timing of Sarfaraz’s dismissal, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed did not panic as they pushed Pakistan 15 runs closer to the mark with their brave power-hitting prowess until poor lighting intervened and the umpires were compelled to suspend play with three over remaining.
The flat wickets-based two-match series has a score of 0-0. In fact, the first game of the series had also been a tie.
Despite the deadlock, Pakistan is still in seventh place in the points standings with 64 additional points, giving them a points percentage of 38.1%. On the other side, New Zealand is still stuck in eighth place with 36 points and a PCT of 27.27%. As a result, the current WTC champions won’t be defending their championship this time.
After losing to India 0-2 at home, Bangladesh has reached rock bottom and is ranked ninth with a PCT of a pitiful 11.11%. With a points percent of 40.91%, the West Indies are ranked sixth. England, who have made enormous strides in red-ball cricket over the past six months with to their brave “Bazball” strategy, is ranked sixth with a percentage of 46.97%.
With a PCT of exactly 50%, South Africa has already slipped to fourth place after losing the current Test series against Australia by a score of 0-2. Sri Lanka takes the third spot with a points percentage of 53.33%.
With a PCT of 58.93%, Team India is in second place after a great 2-0 victory in Bangladesh. Australia comfortably maintains its lead at the top with a points percentage of 78.57% after winning back-to-back home Test series against West Indies and South Africa.
