New Zealand celebrate after beating Pakistan 2-0

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The drought is over for New Zealand as they secured their first Test series win over Pakistan since 1985, courtesy of a sensational performance by their fast bowlers on the final day of the second Test in Hamilton.

Pakistan came into the final session just one wicket down, but New Zealand’s pace attack proved to be too much for them to handle as they lost their last nine wickets in just over 25 overs. As a result, the Black Caps won the match by 138 runs and whitewashed Pakistan 2-0.

Starting off the day on 1/0, Pakistan opener Sami Aslam and stand-in captain Azhar Ali converted their one-run partnership into a 131-run stand, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries.

With Pakistan cruising and perhaps looking at a glimmer of hope in regards to chasing down the 369 they were set to win, New Zealand began their fightback with the wicket of Azhar, who was clean bowled by Mitchell Santner for 58 off 161 balls, which included four boundaries.

Azhar scored his 23rd Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Coming into the final session of the match, Pakistan needed 211 runs to win with a minimum of 34 overs remaining, which still kept them on course for an unlikely win should they have opted to go for it.

Instead, New Zealand started the last session on a high as on the fourth ball, Santner cleaned up Babar Azam for 16.

Azam’s dismissal triggered the major collapse that Pakistan endured, starting with the removal of Sami Aslam, who made a career-best 91 off 238 deliveries, which included eight boundaries and a six.

Aslam made his sixth Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

From being at 181/3, Pakistan’s middle and lower order barely offered any resistance as New Zealand speared through and inched ever closer to a win that seemed near impossible at the start of the session.

With none of the batsmen making their presence felt, Pakistan, who were hoping to at least salvage the second Test after being beaten in Christchurch, were bowled out for 230.

Pakistan had lost all 10 of their wickets for just 99 runs, which was the third time it had happened to them. The two other occasions where Pakistan suffered this embarrassing feat was against England in Dhaka in January 1962 and against New Zealand in Christchurch in December 1995.

Neil Wagner was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Santner and Tim Southee snapped up two wickets apiece. Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme, meanwhile, claimed one wicket each.

Azhar was less than impressed with what he had witnessed, and said: “We knew the target was a big one. We had the partnership, but we couldn’t last the last few overs. We wanted to win the game, but we did not want to end this way. When you’re 1-0 down, you will have to force the game.

“We lost quick wickets against the new ball. The conditions were not as difficult as it looks. I know there was grass in the first innings, but after that it was a good batting pitch. We will take a lot out of this tour. And we will have to lift our game in Australia. I enjoyed captaincy, but things did not go according to the plan.”

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was thrilled to have whitewashed Pakistan, and said: “If we go back to the start of the Test, getting to 270 after losing the toss, was important. A lot of credit needs to go to Pakistan for the way they batted. Up until the last session, they were in for the win.

“They batted for a long period of time, and they looked comfortable. When the run-rate goes up, the pressure rises, though. The credit goes to the bowlers for being nice and patient. The way Latham played and set up the first innings was excellent. To see Ross at his best was awesome to see. We were under pressure, and Pakistan showed why they were the No.2 side in Tests. Looking forward to white-ball cricket against Australia. There is a lot of cricket coming up. We certainly enjoyed the win tonight.”

Southee was named Man of the Match for taking eight wickets in total, and said: “It was a good bowling performance. We tried to hang in their and chip as many as possible with the second new ball. I think it was just a good all-round performance. We were familiar with the conditions, and there was assistance with the new ball. Taking a 50-run lead into the second innings was vital.”