Sarfaraz Ahmed hit a fighting unbeaten half-century Friday as Pakistan tried to stop New Zealand's victory march on the final day of the second Test in Karachi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At tea, Pakistan were 179-5 -- chasing 319 to win -- with Sarfaraz and Saud Shakeel fighting to salvage a draw on 65 and 27 respectively after New Zealand dominated the first session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A series-deciding defeat was on the cards at lunch with the total on 125-5, but Sarfaraz and Shakeel carried the fight to the New Zealand bowlers with a sixth-wicket stand that has so far yielded 99 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sarfaraz, who has hit six boundaries, completed his fourth consecutive Test half-century -- and 22nd overall -- sweeping a four off spinner Ish Sodhi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The best winning chase in a Test in Pakistan was 314 by the home team against Australia in Karachi in 1994.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sodhi (2-49) and fellow spinner Michael Bracewell (2-33) jolted Pakistan earlier with three wickets in the first session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Haq fell to a rash drive off Sodhi as the ball spun in and crashed onto the stumps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Azam and Masood then put on 42 runs and were looking solid when Bracewell came into the act.<\/p>\r\n\r\n