Black Caps win dramatic test

In the most unlikely of circumstances, the Black Caps bowled their way to a stunning 138-run victory on the final day of the second cricket test against Pakistan in Hamilton yesterday.

Just as it looked like everything was going to happen a little too late, New Zealand grasped the new ball and ripped out Pakistan’s middle and lower order in dramatic fashion on the final day at Seddon Park, to claim a 2-0 series victory.

In pursuit of an unlikely 369 to draw the two-match series, the tourists, who were 158-1 at tea, ended up bowled out for 230, losing their last six wickets for 26 runs, in 11 overs.

Neil Wagner (3-57 off 20.1 overs) struck three times late in the piece, as the Black Caps wrapped things up under gloomy skies with just 8.5 overs left.

It was New Zealand’s first test series win over Pakistan since 1985 and the 2-0 victory edged them ahead of Sri Lanka and into No 6 on the ICC test rankings.

Pakistan went into the final two sessions needing 293 off a minimum of 62 overs - a required rate of 4.73 - and into the last requiring 211 off a minimum of 34 overs at 6.21. They came out after tea with the intent of throwing the bat, but Mitchell Santner, with his accuracy, was a man for the situation, and in that first over after the interval he had a repeat of his first dismissal, with Babar Azam (16) playing on.

Soon later Tim Southee had Sami Aslam holing out to Kane Williamson at mid-off, just shy of a maiden ton, before promoted dangerman Sarfraz Ahmed was runout, having jogged a first, turned for the second, then putting in a forlorn dive in the wake of Colin de Grandhomme’s throw.

That was shut-up-shop time for Pakistan, but with the new ball just around the corner, New Zealand still sniffed an opportunity. And just seven balls into the new cherry, it did the trick, with Matt Henry having Asad Shafiq (0) send a leading edge to Henry Nicholls.

With six wickets still required and the clock about to tick into the last hour, Southee had Younis Khan(11) padding up to one and while height looked like it’d save Younis, New Zealand successfully reviewed the not out decision.

With 12 overs left, Williamson turned to de Grandhomme, and the hero from the first test produced gold again, as Sohail Khan (8) spooned to Henry Nicholls at cover. That set the scene for Wagner’s late heroics.