"Dillon ka kaptan" - Fans erupt in joy as Sarfaraz Ahmed scores 86 runs in comeback Test 

Pakistan keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed made a fantastic return to Test cricket, slamming a gutsy half-century on Day 1 of the series opener against New Zealand on Monday, December 26.

Playing in his first-ever home Test, Sarfaraz showed impressive form with the bat, scoring 86 runs off 153 balls. The former Pakistan captain replaced Mohammad Rizwan in the playing XI, making a comeback in the red-ball team after nearly four years.

Several fans lauded Sarfaraz for making the most of the opportunity by contributing significantly under pressure. Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:

Bilal🇵🇰🇧🇫

@RanaBilalEjaz1

What a comeback after his four years gap #SarfarazAhmed

1

What a comeback after his four years gap 🔥♥️ #SarfarazAhmed https://t.co/3lfAqH8iry

Hafiz Iftikhar

@Beingmuslim92

#SarfarazAhmed
#BabarAzam𓃵
Love u saifi bhai
Next time In Sha Allah 🏏100 krna.
@SarfarazA_54

4

1

#SarfarazAhmed
#BabarAzam𓃵
Love u saifi bhai
Next time In Sha Allah 🏏100 krna.
@SarfarazA_54 https://t.co/Gz6fRWWML4

JEDII TWEETS

@JunaidJaidee

What A Come Back Sarfaraz Ahmed he Deserved A Hundred
@SarfarazA_54 #PakVsNZ

What A Come Back Sarfaraz Ahmed he Deserved A Hundred👑👑
@SarfarazA_54 #PakVsNZ https://t.co/qcxz3PgWlg

Luqman tariq

@luqmantariq353

Life doesn't give 2nd Chance but if it gives one, avail it like Sarfraz Ahmed!

This is called Comeback!
Where are haters now?

#PakvsNZ
#captain
#SarfarazAhmed

1

Life doesn't give 2nd Chance but if it gives one, avail it like Sarfraz Ahmed!

This is called Comeback!
Where are haters now?

#PakvsNZ
#captain
#SarfarazAhmed https://t.co/8ZLVgWubgp

AHMAD RASHAD

@AHMADRASHAD51

What a fighter he is, Great come back kaaptan.
#SarfarazAhmed
#PAKvNZ

2

What a fighter he is, Great come back kaaptan.
#SarfarazAhmed
#PAKvNZ https://t.co/fFSUazqvqo

Sikandar Diyat

@sikandardiyat

The wait for a hundred continues but an excellent innings from Sarfaraz Ahmed on his Test comeback! 🏽

#PAKvNZ

The wait for a hundred continues but an excellent innings from Sarfaraz Ahmed on his Test comeback! 👏🏽

#PAKvNZ

𝙕𝙖𝙠𝙞 𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧

@mzakihaider

This is one remarkable debut innings by #SarfarazAhmed at home. He was under pressure as he replaced Rizwan. And when he came out to bat, Pakistan was already 4 down in before the lunch! High class A game changing partnership with #BabarAzam𓃵

#PakvsNZ

1

This is one remarkable debut innings by #SarfarazAhmed at home. He was under pressure as he replaced Rizwan. And when he came out to bat, Pakistan was already 4 down in before the lunch! High class 🔥🔥 A game changing partnership with #BabarAzam𓃵

#PakvsNZ

Ushna🦋🏏

@monotheisticc

No unnecessary tweets, no rona petna, no controversy, no dramei bazi
RESULTS:
#SarfarazAhmed

1

No unnecessary tweets, no rona petna, no controversy, no dramei bazi
RESULTS:
#SarfarazAhmed https://t.co/CcbRaazOF8

RANIA🇵🇰

@PCT_STAN_

Saifi bhai batted so well!!
He missed a well deserved century
So happy for him
#PakvsNZ
#SarfarazAhmed

6

Saifi bhai batted so well!!
He missed a well deserved century
So happy for him😍
#PakvsNZ
#SarfarazAhmed

FAIZ FAZEL

@theFaizFazel

Sarfaraz Ahmed is the only Pakistani player with almost zero haters in India. The love Sarafraz is getting unreal.
#PakvsNZ @SarfarazA_54

Sarfaraz Ahmed is the only Pakistani player with almost zero haters in India. The love Sarafraz is getting unreal. ♥️
#PakvsNZ @SarfarazA_54

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐝♕︎

@danyal_says_

Sarfaraz Ahmed is dismissed on 86, he was struggling with a niggle but he kept fighting. Missed out on a well deserved century, An extraordinary innings on his comeback under immense pressure
Well played, warrior
#PakvsNZ

1

Sarfaraz Ahmed is dismissed on 86, he was struggling with a niggle but he kept fighting. Missed out on a well deserved century, An extraordinary innings on his comeback under immense pressure 👏👏
Well played, warrior ♥️
#PakvsNZ https://t.co/HCX3GSdENi

Maria Anjum

@MariaAnjum11

Back with a Bang!!!! Excellent knock by our very own kaptaaan. #SarfarazAhmed

Back with a Bang!!!! Excellent knock by our very own kaptaaan. #SarfarazAhmed

Hamza Irfan

@Hamza_Irfan13

Some 80s are better than 100. Well played champ!

#SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ

2

Some 80s are better than 100⭐️. Well played champ!❤️👑

#SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ https://t.co/coBkpIBlid

Zain Ali (زین علی)

@zamcw

Well played #SarfarazAhmed you were always the great gem for Pakistan nice comeback.

Well played #SarfarazAhmed you were always the great gem for Pakistan nice comeback. https://t.co/VZfu6aA02X

Ahtasham Riaz

@AhtashamRiaz_

#Experience has no substitute. Welcome back @SarfarazA_54 What a player. respect for this amazing player. Hopefully we will see more consistency in future innings. #SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ

7

1

#Experience has no substitute. Welcome back @SarfarazA_54 👏👏👏 What a player. respect for this amazing player. Hopefully we will see more consistency in future innings. #SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ https://t.co/w4DjwVb8O8

Naveed Ather

@NaveedAther4

Kaptaan is back with a bang!!! Dillon ka kaptan sarfaraz ahmed #SarfarazAhmed

Kaptaan is back with a bang!!! Dillon ka kaptan sarfaraz ahmed #SarfarazAhmed

Jaya Suriyan

@ImSurya05

Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 86 in 153 balls - put on a 196 partnership with Babar when the team was 110/4.

He's playing his first Test in 4 years and made a statement! Grand comeback by Sarfaraz.

Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 86 in 153 balls - put on a 196 partnership with Babar when the team was 110/4.

He's playing his first Test in 4 years and made a statement! Grand comeback by Sarfaraz.

Armaan Hashmi

@InamUrwa

The Four Years wait worth it!!🥺🥺
Sarfaraz Ahmed 50
Heart so full for my Kaptaan
Bazball Boom Boom Ball

Kaptaan u beauty 🤎
#SarfarazAhmed

The Four Years wait worth it!!🥺🥺
Sarfaraz Ahmed 50
Heart so full for my Kaptaan ❤️
Bazball Boom Boom Ball

Kaptaan u beauty 🤎❤
#SarfarazAhmed https://t.co/SM4qJewfvo

Notably, Pakistan had a shaky start after electing to bat first in the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. However, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed rescued their team, stitching together a stunning 196-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Sarfaraz has impressed many with his batting exploits in domestic cricket lately. With Rizwan struggling for form in red-ball cricket, the former captain could cement his place in the team once again by doing well in the ongoing two-Test series against New Zealand.

Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed put Pakistan in pole position against New Zealand

Although Pakistan's top-order batters failed to put up a fight against the Kiwi bowlers, the hosts managed to finish well on the opening day thanks to valuable contributions from Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

While Sarfaraz missed out on a well-deserved ton, Babar slammed his ninth Test century to help his team gain the upper hand. The Pakistani skipper is unbeaten on 161 with the team at 317/5 at stumps.

Babar, who is currently the leading run-getter this calendar year in the longest format of the game, hit his fourth Test ton in 2022. The batter has a significant chance of completing his maiden double century in the format.

Sportskeeda

@Sportskeeda

Babar Azam becomes the highest Test run-scorer of 2022

#CricketTwitter #pakvsnz

26

5

Babar Azam becomes the highest Test run-scorer of 2022 🔥

#CricketTwitter #pakvsnz https://t.co/2Pdwqq3tT8

Following their embarrassing home series loss to England, Babar Azam and Co. will hope to make amends by coming up with an improved performance against the Blackcaps.

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