Team Pakistan is currently touring New Zealand and have almost finished the tour with only one Test to go. The Kiwis won the T20I series already and looked solid in the first Test too defeating the gritty Pakistan. Though the Pak batsmen showed determination in the second inning, the target proved to be too big at the end. The NZ Vs PAK series has one Test to go which will commence on 03rd Jan.
Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat after winning the toss at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui in the hope of getting early wickets. Pakistan got two early wickets but after that the Kiwi batsmen didn’t allow the Pak bowlers to dominate as they kept on piling runs and played in partnerships. Kane Williamson scored yet another brilliant century for his team getting an individual score of 129.
NZ Vs Pak Test series has one more match to go
In reply, Pakistan fell way short of New Zealand’s first-inning score gifting the Kiwis a huge lead of 192. All the Kiwi bowlers were effective and got wickets in the first inning except Santner, but the spinner was very economical in his 6 overs. New Zealand declared their second inning on the score of 180 for the loss of five wickets. The Pakistanis were given a massive target of 373.
Pakistan got a dismal start and lost both their overs for nought, but their middle-order showed some grit and carried on with the inning. Fawad Alam went on to score a century and the captain played a good knock as well. However, the innings were not enough to achieve 373 and they fell short of 101 runs losing the first Test. Mitchell Santner pulled off a really nice one-handed catch to dismiss the last Pakistani batsman Naseem Shah.
Here’s the Video
https://twitter.com/middlestump5/status/1344191990641078272
The first Test match of NZ Vs Pak series was a gripping one with a lot of interesting moments for the cricket lovers. After the victory, the Kiwis have climbed up to the No.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings.