First Test: Pakistan defeated by 101 runs, 'lost the match but won hearts'

 Despite Fawad Alam's century, New Zealand defeated Pakistan in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan v New Zealand first Test match: Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan praised by Pakistani fans on social media for remaining steadfast on the last day

In the first Test match of the series played at Mount Manganui, Pakistan started the innings with 71 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in pursuit of the target of 373 runs set by New Zealand. Fawad Alam and Azhar Ali were present on the wicket.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand had a major victory when former captain Azhar Ali returned to the pavilion with a total score of 75.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan came to accompany Fawad Alam on this occasion and both the players started batting responsibly. Both the players not only did not allow any wicket to fall till the lunch break but also kept the New Zealand bowlers from taking wickets till the tea break.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Rizwan, who scored fifty in the last innings, also completed his half-century in this innings.

Fawad Alam persevered from the other end and the batsman, who was kept out of the national team for a while, scored an excellent century in response to the performance. Fawad and Rizwan put on a 165-run stand for the fifth wicket to make the match interesting as well as hope for a draw.

The partnership came to an end when Rizwan, who scored 60 runs, was ruled out for a drink in front of the wickets. However, the real blow to Pakistan came when Kiwi fast bowler Neil Wagner, who was bowling with a fractured leg, ended Fawad Alam's innings. The left-arm batsman returned to the pavilion after scoring 102 off 269 balls.

Yasir Shah's stay on the wicket was also short after which all the hopes of Pakistan were attached to the hero of the first innings Faheem Ashraf but he also returned to the pavilion after scoring 19 runs.

Muhammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi tried to avoid defeat by batting for 4 more overs, after which the last batting pair of Pakistan had to bat for 10 more overs to draw.