Published: Dec 08, 2018, 06:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 08, 2018, 06:00 AM (IST)
Kane Williamson on Friday became the first New Zealand captain in 49 years to win an away Test series over Pakistan after his team thumped triumphed by 123 runs in the third and final Test in Abu Dhabi.
Williamson’s sublime 139 in New Zealand’s second innings aided by an unbeaten 126 by Henry Nicholls helped New Zealand set a daunting 280-run target for Pakistan on the fifth and final day. Spinners Will Somerville and Ajaz Patel, and fast bowler Tim Southee took three wickets apiece as Pakistan folded for 156 in 56.1 overs on a sluggish fifth day pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
ALSO READ: New Zealand win first away Test series over Pakistan in 49 years
New Zealand’s last away series win over Pakistan was in 1969.
Williamson’s team returned to Test cricket after a seven month gap and won the first Test against Pakistan by four runs, were beaten in the second and then rallied superbly to claim the decider.
SCORECARD: PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND, 3rd Test
Several former New Zealand players took to Twitter to congratulate Williamson and his team:
Fantastic result against a tough Pakistan side with a great home record. Well done Gary stead on success so early and Kane Williamson for being great again! Proud of this team and this bunch of men. Congratulations to all. https://t.co/zbibloQqrq
— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) December 7, 2018
Humble, hardworking, pioneering and no excuses for a lack of resource. This @BLACKCAPS team under the leadership of Kane Williamson, his senior men and support staff encapsulate the very essence of what it means to represent our great country. Proud Enjoy the
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) December 7, 2018
Massive congrats to everyone involved @BLACKCAPS for the Test series win in the UAE! What an amazing achievement! An awesome team doing great things #gottaloveanawayserieswin
— Luke Ronchi (@ronchi04) December 7, 2018
Seriously good series win for @BLACKCAPS today. Can not say enough about how hard it is to come to UAE and win a test series. Some wonderful individual performances throughout the series. #congrats #team #celebrate #topclass
— Simon Doull (@Sdoull) December 7, 2018
What a win! @BLACKCAPS were absolutely superb……Kane deservedly gets the plaudits but @HenryNicholls27 was brilliant….played tough innings thru out the entire Test series…..Stoked for @wersomerville as well!! # #serieswin
— James Franklin (@jecfranklin) December 7, 2018
Serious grit and determination showed by @BLACKCAPS to win a serious war of attrition. Well done @HenryNicholls27 on your first 100 overseas @B_Jwatling on another serious series and @AjazP and Big Will Somerville aka ‘DAD’ all the @aucklandcricket lads a bloody stoked for ya bro
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) December 7, 2018
WOW!!! Absolutely magical by the @BLACKCAPS over @TheRealPCB in the 3rd test.. Series 2-1…& the first test series victory over #Pakistan since 1969!!! #summerof69 #wattacaracker #congratscaptainKane
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) December 7, 2018
How good @BLACKCAPS
— Suzie Bates (@SuzieWBates) December 7, 2018
What a series win for the @BLACKCAPS congrats lads!!
— Lea Tahuhu (@LTahuhu) December 7, 2018
New Zealand head home to start a two-Test series against Sri Lanka next week while Pakistan have one one-day warm-up match in South Africa before starting the first of three Tests in Centurion on December 26.
