PAK vs NZ | Twitter reacts to Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel turning the tables on embarrassed Pakistan with record 104-run partnership

01/03/2023

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The key to success in Tests is a bowling attack that can take 20 wickets regardless of conditions and clean up the tail without much ado. In the past, Pakistan have had some fearless bowling attacks capable of that and much more but were run ragged on Tuesday by a 104-run 10th-wicket partnership.

New Zealand pulled off a remarkable comeback against Pakistan on day two of the second Test at the Karachi National Stadium, courtesy of a brilliant 10th-wicket partnership between Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel. Cruising along on Day 1 at 234/1, New Zealand found themselves in a difficult position when five wickets fell for a paltry 45 runs. However, a half-century from Tom Blundell steadied the ship a bit for the Kiwis but a couple of quick blows from Abrar Ahmad had them reeling at 345/9.

Just as the Men in Green looked to wrap things up before lunch, Henry and Patel put on an impressive partnership for the 10th wicket which was worth 88 runs heading into the break. Eventually, the pacer remained unbeaten for a brilliant 68 off just 81 balls while Ajaz Patel record a career-high Test score of 35 before becoming Abrar's fourth scalp in the innings.

This 103-run partnership was the fourth in a Test between a number 10 and number 11 batsman. New Zealand eventually ended on 449, settings a stiff total for the hosts regardless of the batting-friendly conditions. Twitterati were quick to troll Pakistan for letting yet another strong situation slip away while a few heaped praise on the Kiwi duo for their incredible resilience and determination, a hallmark of New Zealand's in their World Test Championship title run last season.

Brilliant stand

A brilliant final stand by Matt Henry (68*) & Ajaz Patel (35) adding 104 from 149 balls to boost the total to 449 all-out after lunch on day two.

Both players notching Test PB's en-route to recording the highest 10th-wicket partnership by a visiting pair to Pakistan
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)

Into records

Highest Partnership for the 10th wicket in Tests in Pakistan:

151 - A. Mahmood & M. Ahmed, 1997

104 - Matt Henry & Ajaz Patel, 2023*

65 - A. Nazir & M. Khan, 1995

65 - M. Farooq & Salahuddin, 1965

63 - F. Cameron & B. Congdon, 1965
— Ahsan shah Df kz 🇵🇰 (@AhsanshahDfkz7)

Robbed really!

Ajaz Patel robbed Matt Henry of a 100.
— Hriday 🇦🇷 (Fan-Account) (@Hriday1812)

Unpredictable team

From 234-1 to 279-6 and 279-6 to 449-10 .

Two different sides of a totally unpredictable team .

New Zealand will be very happy with this score .Credit to ajaz patel and Matt Henry for their brilliant inning 👏 .
— manraj singh (@manraj200427)

From where!?

3rd January 1902: Reggie Duff & Warwick Armstrong make the 1st 10th-wicket hundred partnership, men's Tests (120, AUS v ENG, MCG)

3rd January 2023: Matt Henry & Ajaz Patel make the 27th 10th-wicket hundred partnership, men's Tests (104, NZ v PAK, Karachi)
— Mark Puttick (@GryllidaeC)

104 literally!

New Zealand at one point 345/9 and now they finish at 449. Matt Henry scored 68* and Ajaz Patel 35 runs against Pakistan in 2nd Test match.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)

Great one!

New Zealand are all out for 449... A great partnership between Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel for 10th wicket of 104 runs...
— Suryansh (@Suryansh1329)

10th wicket wonder

New Zealand bowled out for 449 against Pakistan - a 104 runs partnership for the 10th wicket between Ajaz Patel and Matt Henry.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Series saver