In what turned out to be a great advertisement for test Cricket, New Zealand over came tourists Pakistan with a thrilling 101 run win in the first test, of their two game test series.
The win, which sees The Kiwis top the test rankings for the first time in their history, was achieved off the back of a brilliant 129 from captain Kane Williamson.
Ross Taylor (70) and Henry Nichols (56) did offer support to their captain, which helped the home side post a mammoth 431 all out.
In reply, Pakistan’s innings was below par as they fell to 239 all out. This total could have been worse, if it wasn’t for captain Mohammed Rizwan (71) and Faheem Ashraf (91).
The Pakistani all-rounder falling agonisingly short of a maiden century. New Zealand were in the ascendancy at this point, and in their 2nd innings posted 180-5.
Fifties from openers Tom Latham (53) and Tom Blundell (64) helps The Black Caps to set a tricky target of 372 for Pakistan to win the first test.
At 37-3 and then 75-4, Pakistan were staring at a humbling defeat. The tourists, though managed to draw up some of their resilience and doggedness of old.
Mohammed Rizwan, one of the top scorers in the first innings, was joined by Fawad Alam who would go on to make an emotional century (104).
The 34-year old Fawad’s brilliant 100 was his first ton after 11 years. The all-rounder has only just returned to the test side after an 11- year absence.
Alam and his captain Rizwan (60) combined in a 160 run fifth wicket partnership to frustrate the hosts and Maybe help secure an unlikely win.
When tall paceman Kyle Jamieson, had Mohammed Rizwan trapped lbw for 60, Pakistan’s resistance crumbled with the last five wickets falling for 31 runs.
An unfortunate end to a brilliant game of test cricket between the two sides. As the cliche goes, there can only be one winner.
Home side New Zealand deserved the win, but new captain Mohammed Rizwan will be encouraged with what he saw in parts of this game.
The second test, will be contested in Christchurch, if it’s anything like the first test we are in for a real treat!
The second test between the two sides starts on 2nd January and potentially ends on 6th January.
The Bearded Captain 