'What a comeback' - Twitter reacts to Sarfaraz Ahmed's Test return

Sarfaraz Ahmed picked it up from where he had left in the first innings of the ongoing first Test match against New Zealand and scored another half-century while batting on Day 5. The former Pakistan captain scored 86 runs off 153 balls in the first innings on his return to Test cricket after almost four years. 

He made a more solid impact by scoring 53 runs off 76 balls in the second innings on Day 5 to help Pakistan take lead in the second innings of the ongoing Test at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

Pakistan resumed their innings from 77/2 on Day 5 but lost Nauman Ali within the opening three overs. But the biggest shock came for the hosts as in-form captain Babar Azam lost his wicket at an individual score of 14 runs and Pakistan got reduced to 100/4.

But Imam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed put together a crucial 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket to put Pakistan on track to avoid a defeat on the last day. Sarfaraz smashed his 20th Test fifty and became the only the third Pakistan batter to score twin fifties in the 50th Test match.

The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter scored 53 runs off 76 balls with the help of seven fours but was caught behind on Ish Sodhi's delivery. Sodhi then put the travelling side on the driving seat with two more wickets in quick successions, including the big wicket of Imam-ul-Haq who scored 96 runs off 206 balls.

Saud Shakeel is holding fort for Pakistan and is partnered by Mohammad Wasim as the hosts eye a sizeable lead and try to keep the Kiwi bowlers at bay. For New Zealand, Sodhi has taken five wickets and Michael Bracewell has grabbed two to cancel out Imam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed's fifties.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Sarfaraz Ahmed's back-to-back fifties on his Test return:

What a comeback from King of Karachi Sarfaraz Ahmed:

86 in 1st innings
53 in 2nd innings

Missed 3 caught behind appeals, 2 missed stumpings, 1 or 2 dropped catches. Fell 61 runs short to make up for his missed stumping of Williamson when he was 15.

— Wanderer (@Ahmeds4ys) December 30, 2022

What a great comeback Test match for Sarfaraz Ahmed, scored 86(153) in the 1st Innings and 53(76) in the second Innings, Brilliant work. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/zQYbsHpyWk

— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) December 30, 2022

What a great comeback Test match for Sarfaraz Ahmed, scored 86(153) in the 1st Innings and 53(76) in the second Innings, Brilliant work. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/zQYbsHpyWk

— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) December 30, 2022

Back-to-back fifties for Sarfaraz Ahmed in this Test - what an inspired change he has been (sorry Rizwan😜)

Pakistan lead by 11#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/rfVKKH4ozL

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 30, 2022

The real G.O.A.T 🐐
THE REAL OG HAS RETURNED!! 🥹🌟
KAPTAAN COMES UP WITH ANOTHER 50 💎💚⚡#SarfarazAhmed🐐 #PAKvNZ #TayyariKiwiHai #Kaptaan💎 pic.twitter.com/RpPn0J5Y8s

— Sameer Tariq 🇵🇰⚡ (@SameerT37218703) December 30, 2022

I rarely agree with Usama Zafar but this time he is spreading some real positivity and i am with him by all..✌✌#SarfarazAhmed #Rizwan #PAKvNZ https://t.co/ZGeFBQIYJj

— Farooq Siddiqui 🇵🇰 (@farooqsdq) December 30, 2022

Sarfaraz and his creativity, he knows how to play spin. We have been missing sweep and reverse sweep shots since Younis Khan and Misbah Ul Haq departed.
I hope he scores hundred here and save the Test for Pakistan because of his batting.#PAKvNZ #SarfarazAhmed #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/sb7QgeHhDw

— SyEd Mohib (@mohib_syed) December 30, 2022

Sarfaraz Ahmed proved his selection right?#News360 #SarfarazAhmed #TestCricket #PAKvNZL #PakvNz #PakistanCricket #NewZealand #Sarfraz @SarfarazA_54 pic.twitter.com/QHwtmM0KlJ

— Usman Sheikh (@bangbang032) December 30, 2022