NZ vs PAK: New Zealand take the top spot in Tests with an innings victory
New Zealand have clinched the top spot in the ICC Test rankings after their 2-0 series victory over Pakistan. At Hagley Oval, Christchurch, the home side blew away Pakistan to register a victory by an innings and 176 runs. Kyle Jamieson claimed 6/48 in Pakistan’s second innings to stop them at 186 all out.
Earlier, New Zealand had piled up 659 for 6 in their response to Pakistan’s first innings total of 297. Kane Williamson struck a record-breaking knock of 238 while Henry Nicholls (157) and Daryl Mitchell (102) provided great support. The innings was enough for New Zealand to claim an emphatic victory and complete a whitewash over the visitors.
The moment @BLACKCAPS became No.1 ?#NZvPAK | #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/i1kpzTRhxq
— ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2021
The victory also helped New Zealand eke out a maximum of 120 points from the home series which takes their tally to 420 out of a possible 600. They had earlier defeated West Indies and India by the same margin in their previous home series. The Kiwi nation is currently third in the points table with Australia and India ahead of them. With a few matches still remaining in the current cycle, the race to the finals of the World Test Championship is still on.
In ICC Test rankings, New Zealand (118 ratings) currently have a two rating points lead over Australia (116 ratings) while India occupy the third spot (114 ratings).
