On this day in 2018: NZ win their first away series against Pakistan in 49 years
The New Zealand cricket team has emerged as an indomitable force under the leadership of the enigmatic Kane Williamson. Although silverware at global ICC events still evade them, the Blackcaps have made great strides in international cricket. December 7th was one such date when Kane Williamson’s New Zealand made history by triumphing against Pakistan in an away Test series for the first time in 49 years.
New Zealand headed into the third and final Test match of the series in Abu Dhabi with the series level at 1-1 against Pakistan. The visitors elected to bat first after winning the toss and were off to a turbulent start. However, Kane Williamson along with the experienced BJ Watling consolidated for the Kiwis with their respective half-centuries.
In reply to the visitors’ 274 in the first innings, Pakistan were in a spot of bother with three early wickets. But Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq turned the tide for the hosts with a mammoth 201-run stand for the fourth wicket. Both batters registered their respective centuries, guiding Pakistan to a handsome total of 348 runs.
The visitors were under the pump after conceding a healthy first-innings lead and their misery was further compounded in the second innings after the loss of four wickets. The results felt like a foregone conclusion with Pakistan in the ascendency.
However, the Kiwi skipper had other ideas as Williamson, along with Henry Nicholls, compiled a defiant 212-run partnership. Willaimson’s glittering 139 and Nicholl’s stubborn 126 helped New Zealand to 353 runs, setting the home side a challenging target of 280 runs in the fourth innings.
Needing a daunting 280 runs in nearly two full sessions of play on the fifth day, Pakistan were off to an atrocious start, losing half their side on just 55 runs. A young Babar Azam stood firm with a resilient half-century, but it was a little too late for the home side as New Zealand ran through the tail like a knife through butter, restricting Pakistan to a paltry 156.
A win by 123 runs in a tense finale meant that New Zealand had beaten Pakistan in an away red-ball series for the first time in 49 years. New Zealand skipper Williamson was named the Player of the Match for his heroics with the bat in both innings of the historic Test.
