“What a comeback” – Fans hail Sarfaraz Ahmed for fighting century in PAK vs NZ 2nd Test
Sarfaraz Ahmed shone with the bat for Pakistan on Day 5 of the second Test against New Zealand in Karachi. The right-hander reached 100 off 139, including a six and nine boundaries.
The former Pakistan captain also shared a crucial 123-run partnership with Saud Shakeel (32) for the sixth wicket to rescue the hosts from 80-5. For the uninitiated, Sarfaraz scored a vital 78 in the first innings before his controversial dismissal. He also contributed 86 and 53 in the first Test after making his Test comeback after almost four years, helped Pakistan draw the game.
Fans went gaga on Sarfaraz Ahmed’s remarkable comeback and feel that the century is the icing on the cake.
Here’s a compilation of the best Twitter reactions:
🥵Saifi bhai you beauty 😍
100🔥🥵
Sarfaraz Ahmed remember the name 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
#PAKvNZ
Century for Sarfaraz Ahmed when his team needed him most!
#PakvsNZ
KAPTAAAN 🔥🔥🔥
#SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ
What a champion #SarfarazAhmed
!! What a comeback for the former skipper!!4th Century in Tests
Sarfaraz Ahmed!! Had to wait for 3 years 11 months 12 days to get back into the team.
86,53,78 & Now a 💯!! What a comeback for the former skipper!!
@SarfarazA_54 #SarfarazAhmed #PAKvNZ #CricketTwitter
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! 🇵🇰
Sarfaraz Ahmed with a brilliant century under pressure 🙌
#PAKvNZ
Well deserved century
SARFARAZ AHMED 👏👏 https://t.co/9QCKiblwV4
Sarfaraz Ahmed hits a century, he is saving Pakistan form lossing the 1st test match of 2023 at home.
#PakvsNZ #PAKvNZ https://t.co/XZzrZ071p8
Love those celebrations from Sarfaraz Ahmed ... job not yet done though
What a game what a hundred #SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ
Hundred for Sarfaraz Ahmed. What a return of Sarfaraz, he scored 3 fifties and 1 Hundred in 4 innings - This is just remarkable comeback. https://t.co/ulMru5I1hT
It's not all over till you have a courage to come back. What a brilliant century and what a time to do it. Great job Kaptaan 👍👏🎉
#PakvsNZ #SarfarazAhmed https://t.co/JO3pYI9Btt
Sarfaraz Ahmed helps Pakistan fight back in second Test
Sarfaraz Ahmed will look to ensure that the hosts win a Test series at home this winter. With 49 runs required in 12 overs, Sarfaraz and Agha Salman are looking good to take the team home.
It's worth mentioning that Pakistan's last Test series victory came against South Africa in 2020-21. Earlier, New Zealand scored 449 runs in their first innings, courtesy of a century from Devon Conway and fifties from Tom Latham, Tom Blundell and Matt Henry. Abrar Ahmed took four wickets for Pakistan, while Naseem Shah and Agha Salman bagged three wickets apiece.
In response, Pakistan scored 408, thanks to Shakeel's unbeaten 125, while Imam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz contributed half-centuries. Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi scalped three wickets apiece, while Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Daryl Mitchell took one wicket each.
In the second innings, Tim Southee and Co. declared at 277-5 to set a 319-run target for Pakistan. Tom Latham, Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell contributed half-centuries. Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali and Salman picked up a wicket apiece for the hosts.