Babar Azam, on the eve of the match, had said that he and his team were well-guarded against offthe-field distractions. He stayed true to his words by slamming an unbeaten 161 on the first day of the opening Test against New Zealand on Monday.

Thanks to the captain’s knock, Pakistan overcame a wobbly start to reach 317/5 when the stumps were drawn at Karachi’s National Stadium.

However, Babar’s 277-ball stay at the wicket wasn’t really spotless. But it’s the runs which count at the end of the day and that he has already hit 15 fours — and a big six that brought up his century — will surely leave a mark on the match. Giving Babar company at stumps was Agha Salman, unbeaten on 3.

New Zealand failed to capitalise on a strong start with the ball. Led by new captain Tim Southee, the Black Caps began their first Test in Pakistan in 20 years by taking two quick wickets via stumpings, with Ajaz Patel removing Abdullah Shafique for 7 and spin partner Michael Bracewell dismissing Shan Masood for 3.

Bracewell could have had the key wicket of Babar in the 15th over, but Daryl Mitchell dropped a simple chance at first slip, though the bowler responded by having Imam-ul Haq caught for 24 at mid-off three deliveries later.

Pakistan recovered from the early blows as Babar reached his half-century, but Southee reduced them to 110/4 when Saud Shakeel (22) edged one to Henry Nicholls at gully shortly before lunch.

Babar continued his rescue act after the break, however, reaching his ninth Test century in the company of Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made 86in his first Test since 2019 after replacing wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan in the side.

New Zealand came close to dismissing Sarfaraz on 26, but the batter successfully went for a TV referral after on-field umpire Aleem Dar adjudged him to be caught behind off Southee. Southee was again on the forefront with the second new ball, but Sarfarazsurvived another TV referral when New Zealand went for an unsuccessful lbw review.

Babar enjoyed an excellent196-run partnership with Sarfaraz before Patel dismissed the former captain when he edged one to Mitchell at first slip shortly before the close.

New Zealand, who abandoned their white-ball tour of Pakistan last year due to security concerns, are looking to end a run of four straight Testdefeats under the leadership of Southee. Kane Williamsonrecently stepped down as captain of the side, following a six-year tenure.

Pakistan included left-arm pacer Mir Hamza — who played his only Test way back in 2018, against Australia in Abu Dhabi — in the playing XI in place of Faheem Ashraf.

Written with inputs from Reuters