NZ vs Pak, 1st Test: Fawad Alam’s ton goes in Vain as Kiwis snatch late win

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New Delhi: New Zealand boosted their hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship last after securing a 101-run win towards Pakistan within the first Test right here on Wednesday.
With this win, New Zealand not solely gained a 1-0 lead within the Test sequence but in addition moved nearer to the No.1 spot within the ICC Test Team Rankings. The aspect will affirm their place on the highest in the event that they clinch the sequence.
Day 5 of the primary Test was an emotional pleasure trip. With Fawad Alam and Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan weathering the storm within the first two classes, it nearly seemed like the sport will likely be drawn because the duo stitched the eighth-longest fourth-innings partnership of all time.
However, New Zealand pacers denied guests a draw as Pakistan misplaced all six wickets within the concluding session of the match. For Fawad, it was like a re-birth as he hit a Test century after 11 years. The left-handed batsman had scored 100 on his debut in July 2009.

THAT WINNING MOMENT! What a catch from Mitchell Santner…
🎥 = @sparknzsport #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/b4Bee4lawA
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 30, 2020

Resuming day 5 on 71/3, Pakistan suffered an early setback with the lack of Azhar Ali as Trent Boult struck early within the morning. Ali and Fawad had weathered the storm on Wednesday after Pakistan had been left reeling at 0/2. Replicating the identical, Fawad and Rizwan then took Pakistan to drinks with none additional injury.
Despite dropping Azhar, Pakistan seemed good and had a good morning session courtesy of an unbeaten 62-run partnership between Fawad and Rizwan. For Fawad, it was all about being affected person on day 5 and hitting the unhealthy balls. The left-handed batsman accomplished his half-century in 149 balls because the guests seemed to keep away from defeat.

Which participant impressed you probably the most within the close-fought Bay Oval Test?#NZvPAK SCORECARD ⏩ https://t.co/LMlsERb5mp pic.twitter.com/MxvdsPm4fK
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2020

A terrific second session for Pakistan noticed them scoring 78 runs with out dropping a wicket. Fawad and Rizwan had held fort, defying the New Zealand tempo assault. Meanwhile, Fawad hit his second hundred and Rizwan scored his second half-century of the match and it seemed Pakistan had given themselves a real shot of saving the primary Test.
However, Kyle Jamieson supplied New Zealand the breakthrough as he despatched Rizwan again to the pavilion. The wicket of Rizwan triggered a collapse as Pakistan began dropping wickets at common intervals. First Neil Wagner despatched Fawad again within the 106th over after which 15 balls later Jamieson got here again to dismiss Yasir Shah because the Kiwis seemed favorites to seal the match.

Five Test wins in a row for the @BLACKCAPS 👏
What a staff! pic.twitter.com/GwzAHhtniV
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2020

Wickets saved falling at common intervals and Pakistan quickly discovered themselves tottering at 261/9. The final pair of Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi seemed to battle it out as they defended for 47 balls. But with the guests needing to outlive one other final 5 overs, Mitchell Santner put the ultimate nail within the coffin as he induced a lofted return catch from Naseem’s bat as New Zealand sealed an exciting win.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 431 and 180/5d; Pakistan 239 and 271 (Fawad Alam 102, Mohammad Rizwan 60; Tim Southee 2-33, Kyle Jamieson 2-35)


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