New Zealand beat Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in the second test. With this win, Kiwis win the series 2-0 and reach to the No. 1 rank in tests for the first time. This was the second consecutive series where New Zealand have whitewashed the opponent. Earlier, West Indies got whitewashed 2-0. Now, the Pakistani side has also been whitewashed.
The second test was played at Christchurch, where the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bowl first. New Zealand was in a comfortable position as they were 1-0 up in the series. Whereas Pakistan side was clearly not in a good position as they were playing without their best players.
Pakistani openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali came into bat as they looked to take on the Kiwi pacers who dominated the first test. But the pacers had another plans for the batsmen as Masood was sent back for a duck. Tim Southee drew the first blood. Pakistan’s most experienced test player Azhar Ali came into bat. Both Abid and Azhar looked to take things slow as they had lost an early wicket. The duo succeeded in their plan as the got a 62-run stand between them before Abid Ali fell to Jamieson. The middle order too failed to build a partnership as Pakistan were soon reduced to 83 for loss of 4 wickets. Pakistani skipper Mohammad Rizwan joined Azhar Ali at the crease. A responsible and reliable knock came from the duo’s bat as Ali went on to score 93 and the skipper played a decent knock of 61. As soon as the skipper was dismissed, it seemed that the tail would be cleaned up quickly by the Kiwi pacers. But the resistance provided by the lower middle order got Pakistan crucial runs in the first innings. Faheem Ashraf and Zafar Gohar made 48 and 34 respectively as Pakistan went past 280. The Pakistani innings was soon wrapped up at 297 after the duo’s dismissal. New Zealand bowlers had a good outing as the young Kyle Jamieson picked up another fifer in tests while Southee and Boult picked a couple each. Wagner’s replacement Matt Henry too picked up a wicket.
New Zealand had a long batting line up which provided them a upper hand as they eyed to go beyond the first innings total of Pakistan. Latham and Blundell provided a decent start which set the game for the Kiwi middle order as Kane Williamson got to another test 200. He was joined by Henry Nicholls who scored his second test 150. The final nail in the coffin was provided by Daryll Mitchell who played a quick knock of 102 of just 112 deliveries. Jamieson too had a swing as he made 30 off just 22 deliveries with 2 boundaries and 2 maximums. New Zealand declared their first innings on 659 as the visitors struggled to get their wickets. New Zealand had a lead of 362 runs as they eyed to win by an innings. Pakistani fielding and wickets on no balls proved to be the turning point of the game.
The openers came in late on the third day as they looked to only survive the remaining overs of the day. After some resistance, Shan Masood couldn’t stand the bowlers as he was dismissed by Jamieson. Night watchman Mohammad Abbas had to come in as they couldn’t afford losing another batsman in the end of the day. Abbas and Ali survived the day and went back to pavilion at stumps. The next day, Abbas was soon dismissed by Boult. Azhar Ali joined Abid Ali at the crease. The pair was looking to just play the hour as the ball was swinging. Finally, Abid Ali after a stubborn stay at the crease was dismissed by Jamieson. The Pakistani batsmen tried to stay at the crease for long time but couldn’t get the scoreboard going. None of the Pakistani batsmen could even cross the 40-run mark as they were wrapped up at 186.
Jamieson once again destroyed the Pakistani line up as he picked up 6 wickets in the second innings. Boult picked 3 while the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson rolled his arms over and got Shaheen Afridi.
The Player of the match award was given to Kyle Jamieson for his outstanding figures of 11/117.
Kane Williamson was awarded the Man of the series award for his outstanding centuries in both tests.
With this win, New Zealand are now the new No. 1 side in tests.
