Pakistan middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has said that his dream to score a century in an international match at the home ground has come true, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking to the media after the third day of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand at the National Stadium, Saud Shakeel said that he is very happy to have scored his first test century at the National Stadium. "It was also great to have Sarfaraz alongside me because he gave me confidence when I was in my nineties," he said.

Saud Shakeel, who starred on Wednesday in a 150-run partnership with wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed for the fifth wicket, said he played sweep short only when there were no runs. “I have played by understanding the plan of the opposing team and will try to play better in the upcoming matches.”

He said that they had to make a good total on this pitch.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell believed the wicket was still good for batting. "We have to get the last wicket (Thursday) and then, I guess, have to reassess because Pakistan are a good batting side, so probably need a big total."

To a question asked about stumping Sarfaraz Ahmed, he said that he did not think it was out, initially. “But then obviously I saw it on the big screen and I saw his foot left in the air. Overall, pretty happy to get a stumping that’s pretty hard to come by. So, I'm pretty, pretty chuffed overall,” he said.

Reported: Javed Iqbal