Ton-up Sarfaraz leads Pakistan's fightback in second Test

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed scored his first century since 2014 during the second innings of the ongoing Test match against New Zealand in Karachi. 

The home side needs another 92 runs to clinch victory with a minimum of 19 overs remaining in the match.

Earlier, Pakistan reached 179-5 at tea on fifth and final day of the second Test in Karachi.

Saud Shakeel (32) and Sarfaraz Ahmed batted brilliantly in the post-lunch session with New Zealand going wicketless. 

Earlier, in the morning session, spinners Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi grabbed two wickets apiece Friday as New Zealand closed in on victory.

Chasing 319, Pakistan were 125-5 at lunch on the fifth and final day, with Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel at the crease on 29 and 16 respectively after an extended session due to Friday prayers.

Pakistan can take heart from their recent dogged second-innings fight to draw the first Test — also in Karachi — to keep the two-match series alive.

Resuming two down without any runs on the board, Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq (12), skipper Babar Azam (27) and Shan Masood (35) before reaching three figures.

Haq fell to a rash drive off Sodhi as the ball spun in and crashed onto the stumps.

Azam and Masood then put on 42 runs and were looking solid when Bracewell came into the act.

He first removed Azam with a sharp turning delivery that was edged to wicketkeeper Tom Latham, while Masood miscued a lofted shot and was caught brilliantly by Kane Williamson at mid-off.

Sodhi has figures of 2-23 and Bracewell 2-28.