Kiwis claim a dramatic series win over Pakistan

New Zealand dramatically bowled out Pakistan for 156 on the final day to win the third Test by 123 runs and claim victory in the three-match series in Abu Dhabi.

With the series tied at 1-1 after two tight matches, a victory for the tourists looked an unlikely outcome when they trailed by 74 runs after the first innings. But they smashed 81 runs from nine overs, with Henry Nicholls becoming the second Kiwi centurion of the innings after Kane Williamson, reaching 126 not out when New Zealand declared on 353 for seven.

That set Pakistan a target of 280 for victory but they never looked like getting close and New Zealand wrapped up their first overseas victory over Pakistan for 49 years.

The Black Caps claimed five wickets before lunch, including Mohammad Hafeez, bowled for only eight by Tim Southee to bring his Test career to a close.

Babar Azam provided the main resistance with 51 while captain Sarfraz Ahmed contributed 28 but seven batsmen were out for single-figure scores as Pakistan’s innings ended in only the 57th over.

Travis Head marked his home debut with an unbeaten half-century as Australia battled well on the second day of the first Test against India.

Chasing the tourists’ total of 250, Australia fought back to reach 191 for seven in Adelaide, Head finishing on 61 not out with Mitchell Starc also at the crease on eight.

Ravichandran Ashwin took three of the first four Australian wickets after opener Aaron Finch had been bowled for a duck by Ishant Sharma.