Williamson defies Pak after Yasir feat
ABUDHABI: Captain Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls combined in a terrific double-century stand to propel New Zealand’s lead against Pakistan to a valuable 198 runs in the third Test on Thursday.
Williamson, who resumed on the fourth day on 14, batted the entire day and grafted an unbeaten 139 off 282 balls with 13 fours.
Left-hander Nicholls overcame a jittery start to be 90 not out off 243 deliveries as New Zealand overcame being 60-4 in the morning to reach 272-4 at stumps and regain the advantage. Pakistan let it slip away through lapses in the field and taking a defensive approach.
New Zealand were still trailing Pakistan in the second innings by 14 runs when Nicholls joined Williamson before lunch. But they batted with determination and luck in an unbroken 212run, fifth-wicket stand to leave Pakistan worried about what total it may be chasing to win the series on the last day Friday.
New Zealand will be in charge and favored for the series win when they will probably decide to end their second innings and leave enough time to bowl out Pakistan.
Pakistan do not have happy memories at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium, where New Zealand won the first Test by just four runs after setting Pakistan a target of 176.
Pakistan made a perfect start to the fourth day when leg-spinner Yasir Shah became the quickest bowler to reach 200 Test wickets in his 33rd Test by dismissing night-watchman Will Somerville for 4.
But Shah dropped Williamson on 80 and 106.
Imam-ul-Haq couldn’t hold onto a sharp reflex catch of Nicholls close to the wicket on the leg side soon after the left-hander completed his half-century before tea.
Brief scores: New Zealand 274 & 272-4 (overnight 26-2) (K Williamson 139*, H Nicholls 90*, Y Shah 2-107, S Afridi 2-55) vs Pakistan 348