Pakistan vs New Zealand
Pakistan vs New Zealand (PC-Getty Images)

On the first day of the first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, a Kiwi wicketkeeper named Tom Blundell accomplished a feat never before accomplished in 145 years of Men’s Test cricket. 

Prior to the toss, history was created with the return of New Zealand to Pakistan for a Test series for the first time since 2002 and the recall of Pakistan veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed for his 50th appearance in a Test match. However, what happened during the first session was a first in Men’s Test cricket. 

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Pakistan vs New Zealand
Pakistan vs New Zealand (PC-Getty Images)

First Two Batters Out After Being Stumped By Tom Blundell

In only the fourth over of the day, seasoned Kiwi captain Tim Southee sent veteran spinner Ajaz Patel into the attack, and the decision paid off almost right away as Abdullah Shafique was out stumped by Blundell for seven. 

Three overs later, the Kiwis got their second wicket, and this time it was Shan Masood who died. Blundell stumped the left-hander off the bowling of Michael Bracewell. 

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Tom Blundell Stumps Shan Masood
Tom Blundell Stumps Shan Masood (PC-Getty Images)

It meant that the first two outs of the Test had been stumpings, a feat that had never been accomplished for men at the Test level. Overall, it was the second time it had happened; two stumping dismissals also started the 1976 Women’s Test between Australia and the West Indies in Jamaica. 

Imam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s opener, was out caught immediately after his dismissal by Bracewell, giving New Zealand a strong start in both the Test match and the series. 

Pakistan Drop Vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, opted to bat in Karachi’s bright weather for the first Test match against New Zealand. The hosts replaced Mohammad Rizwan, their wicketkeeper, with Sarfaraz Ahmed, their previous captain, who last competed in a Test in January 2019. Mir Hamza, a left-arm seamer who competed in just one Test back in 2018, has also made the cut. 

Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed (PC-Twitter)

Pakistan might make some changes to their lineup, according to interim head selector Shahid Afridi, as they want to improve their Test performance and rotate some of their important players during a busy cricket season. In addition, they acquired three new players to their roster for the Test series, with Hamza now joining the starting XI right immediately.

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Pakistan: 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Shan Masood, 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Agha Salman, 8 Nauman Ali, 9 Mohammad Wasim, 10 Mir Hamza, 11 Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Tim Southee (capt), 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Ajaz Patel.