New Zealand and Pakistan played a grueling and exciting game. However, the hosts were able to overcome the brilliant resistance from Pakistan batsmen in the fourth innings. The visitors batted out 123 overs but couldn’t hold any longer.
The win also meant New Zealand reached the top of ICC Test rankings for the first time ever. They were level with Australia prior to the test match. But Australia lost to India yesterday which paved way for New Zealand to reach the top of test rankings.
New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner took a one handed stunner to take the last wicket. Pakistan will be felt hard done after a very good fight in the final innings. However, New Zealand dominated Pakistan for major periods of this test match. They outplayed Pakistan in the first innings and managed a huge lead. Pakistan batsmen Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Rizwan lead them to a decent score in the first innings.
But New Zealand came out with intent and scored some quick fire runs to force a result. They scored 180 inside 46 overs and gave Pakistan a mammoth chase of 375. Once again, Pakistan lost key batsmen very early in the innings. They were reeling at 39/3 at one stage.
Once again captain Mohammad Rizwan with Fawad Alam stabilized the ship. The duo put on a 165 run partnership to give Pakistan some hope to win this game. But both of them were dismissed in a matter of 4 overs.
Ashraf displayed some resistance but the tail could not hold onto the pressure from New Zealand bowlers. Naseem Shah lobbed the ball beyond Santner after suffering a LBW scare the previous delivery.
The talented allrounder jumped and plucked the catch out of thin air. This ensured New Zealand won an exciting game in a thrilling fashion. The hosts also clinched 1-0 lead in the series
Here is the climax for the test match
What a match, what a climax ЁЯФе pic.twitter.com/RKAl0jYEPG
— cricket videos (@middlestump5) December 30, 2020
The two teams will now meet again in the second and final test on January 3rd at Christchurch. New Zealand will look to clean sweep the series as they are always the side to beat at home.
