New Zealand’s opening pair of left-handed batters responded with a solid 165 without loss in the first Test on Tuesday after Agha Salman recorded his maiden century and led Pakistan to 438 in their first innings.

Devon Conway and Tom Latham batted confidently against the challenging spin of Abrar Ahmed on a dry wicket to remain unbeaten on 82 and 78, respectively, at stumps on Day 2.

New Zealand, at present, trail by 273 in their first Test tour to Pakistan since 2002.

Conway also completed 1,000 Test runs in 19 innings, rewriting the national record previously held by John Reid.
“We still scored at three-and-a-half runs an over without forcing any risks,” said New Zealand legspinner Ish Sodhi. “Hopefully, it continues for us tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Pakistan centurion Agha Salman after reaching his half-century against New Zealand in Karachi on Tuesday. AP/PTI

Conway could have been dismissed on 57, an hour into the day’s last session, but Pakistan missed an opportunity by opting not to go for a caught-behind referral. Television replays suggested Conway had got a faint inside edge after Nauman Ali had spun the ball back into the batsman from the rough.

Both batsmen used their feet well against Abrar, who took 17 wickets in two Test matches against England earlier this month. Conway reached his half-century off 89 balls with nine fours.

Latham followed in reaching his 50 off 96 balls with six fours as both batsmen grew in confidence and didn’t hesitate to even reverse sweep on a wicket which still has some turn for the spinners.

Pakistan’s weakened pace attack in the absence of injured Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, didn’t offer a challenge to Conway and Latham with the new ball. The two batsmen took New Zealand to 41 without loss at tea before adding 124 more runs in the final session.

Left-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza, recalled after four years since playing his only Test against Australia in 2018, and Mohammad Wasim, also playing only his second Test, couldn’t break through.

Earlier, the 29-year-old Salman batted resolutely in the company of tailenders to score 103 with 17 fours. He was the last batsman to be dismissed when Pakistan’s first innings ended an hour after lunch.