NZ vs PAK: thrilling test win with 26 balls to spare, New Zealand close to number one after losing to Pakistan



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With only 26 balls remaining, New Zealand scored a surprising first Test victory against Pakistan. With that, they reached the threshold of their debut as the ICC’s number one test team. Why Williamsons became one of the contenders for the ICC Test Championship final.

Pakistan finished their first inning at 239 in response to New Zealand’s 431 at Mount Maunganui. New Zealand, leading by 192 runs in the first inning, asked Pakistan to hit 160 in the second inning by five wickets.

Pakistan batted in the final innings with a goal of 363 runs to win. At the end of the fourth day, they scored 61 runs for 3 wickets in the second inning. On the last day, Pakistan tried to save the Trial with the help of Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan. However, just 4.3 overs before the end of the match, they were highs for 261 in the second inning. Fawad’s 102 and Rizwan’s 70 missed two innings. New Zealand won the first round by 101 runs.

With such a provocative victory, the Kiwis began to breathe a sigh of relief to Australia on the ICC test bench. New Zealand will be the number one test team at the ICC after beating Australia to secure a series win against Pakistan.