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 on Tuesday.
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.
This was a Pakistan side which had gone unbeaten in seven series, dating more than two years, and which entered the series ranked No 2 in the world but have now slid to No 4. The visitors resumed on 1-0 after facing three overs on Monday evening, and with 98 overs on the final day anything was possible, though the target of 369 represented what would have been the seventh-equal highest chase in test history.
Pakistan have only once scored more than that in a fourth innings - win, lose or draw - managing 382-3 to beat Sri Lanka in Pallekele last year. However, no team had ever successfully chased a total of this magnitude in New Zealand - the highest being the West Indies’ 348-5 way back in 1969 - while the biggest for a win at Seddon Park is Australia’s 212-4 in 2000.
Having initially blunted the new ball, Pakistan could have set up an entertaining day, but as they crawled to lunch at 76-0, the writing was on the wall.
Though openers Azhar (58 off 161 balls) and Sami (91 off 238) showed stoic resistance in putting on 131 for the first wicket, it took a wee bit of time for Pakistan to