New Zealand vs Pakistan - 2nd Test

Right then! That is all that we have for you. New Zealand have been comprehensive in both the Test matches and have deservedly won the series 2-0 to the good. With this victory, they have also reached the first position in the World Test Championship Table and they will be happy with how things have panned out. Pakistan, on the other hand, showed sparks but were not able to turn that into anything tangible and they will go back and ponder about how they can improve. We enjoyed having your company throughout our coverage. Until next time, goodbye and take care! 

The New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson has been named as the Player of the Series! He starts off by saying that it was an incredible couple of games and that they were up against a quality side and even though the result was in their favour, it was a game of small margins and that they converted that into good partnerships and they are pleased and it is a proud moment for the team. Praises Mitchell and Jamieson for their performances in this game and also adds that Daryl has not played in his natural role but their attitude has been amazing and they have grabbed the opportunity that came their way. Feels that it was a battle and that the Pakistan bowlers bowled well and that partnership with Nicholls was great, that too, with a pulled calf muscle and it was nice to be out there. Tells that it was great to put in a strong first innings total.

The Pakistani skipper, Mohammad Rizwan starts off by saying that as a captain, he takes the responsibility and that fielding is an important part of the game and if you want to win Test matches, you need to field well. Adds that he is happy with their performance in the last test and the T20I series. Adds that it is an honor for him to lead Pakistan and that they tried their very best. Says that they have learnt a lot of things from this series. Praises the New Zealand cricket team for their performance and says that Jamieson was the difference between the two sides.

Kyle Jamieson has been named as the Player of the Match! He starts off by saying that they had to work hard for the wickets and as a bowling unit, they were clinical throughout the day. Adds that they have a four pronged pace attack and he feels as though he could be the fourth prong. Says that it was good to sit back and watch them do their thing and observe what these guys have done for a number of years.

The Pakistani openers had 11 overs to play with at the end of Day 3 and they lost Shan Masood heading into Day 4. And in the penultimate day, it was all Jamieson again, who scalped 6 wickets to his name and Pakistan were bowled out for 186. A well deserved victory for the hosts and they will be very happy. Stay tuned for the presentation...

After this, it was all New Zealand. They came out to bat in the first innings with intent and that showed. They lost three wickets quickly and were at 71/3 at one stage. But then the duo of Williamson and Nicholls stitched an amazing partnership of 369 runs for the fourth wicket, which also saw Kane reach his fourth double century and Nicholls reach his 7th International Test century. After these two fell, Daryl Mitchell took it upon himself to prove a point as he and Jamieson went hammer and tongs and in that process, Mitchell also reached his maiden Test century for the Black Caps. All these batting contributions saw the Kiwis end up 659 on the board with a lead of 362 runs to their name.

Rewinding the clock slightly, Pakistan were put to bat first in the first innings. It was all about Azhar Ali who held fort at one end and watched his teammates depart one after the other. Then, he got a good partner in Rizwan and together these two played some good cricket and steadied the ship for the visitors. Ali reached his 93 but was not able to cross that triple digit mark, while Rizwan reached his half-century. After both of them fell, good contributions from Zafar and Ashraf saw them reach a competitive total of 297. It was Kyle Jamieson who was the star with the ball in hand, who grabbed a 5-fer. Southee and Boult too, snared a couple of wickets to their name.

A comprehensive show with the bat, with the ball and all around the field has ensured that the Kiwis win this game by an innings and 176 runs and they also complete the whitewash over their sub-continent counterparts as they win the Test series 2-0. Kane Williamson should be pleased with how his boys have fared in this series. This win also sees them top the World Test Championship Table. Chants of 'Number one, Number one' are ringing around the ground. Terrific stuff from the Black Caps.

New Zealand now have the option to take the new ball and they have decided to take the new cherry. Tim Southee to steam in now.

Naseem Shah is the last man in.

New Zealand review! Shaheen is the man in question for this LBW appeal. Looks real close. Let's see what what the replays have to say.

Kane Williamson is back on. 1-0-4-0 are his numbers so far. Cheers around the ground as he grips the ball.

Shaheen Afridi is the new batsman in.

Matt Henry to bowl from the other end.

We are back for the final session of Day 4. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Faheem Ashraf and Zafar Gohar will resume their innings for Pakistan. Kyle Jamieson will start the proceedings for this session.

... Day 4, Session 3 ...

Right then. 3 more wickets needed for the Black Caps to win and with a huge lead to their name, one would say, that the Test is all done and it is a question of when and not if. The visitors are staring down the barrel and it looks unlikely that a result that is favorable for them can be achieved. Do the Kiwis wrap things up in the final session or do the Men in Green have a different script in mind? All the answers after the Tea break...

Kyle Jamieson is down for an interview. He says that he is impressed with his performance. Adds that they will look to wrap up the match today itself. Mentions it is special to get 5-fer in both the innings.

Azhar and Sohail were battling it out in the middle but Jamieson came along and got rid of Azhar, Sohail and also the Pakistani skipper, Rizwan in quick succession and Pakistan were reeling with 6 wickets down. Alam and Ashraf stitched a decent stand but Boult came in and broke that stand as well. Another brilliant bowling show this has been by Kyle, as he grabbed his 5-fer and also scalped 10 wickets for this Test. 

Another session which has gone the way of New Zealand. It has been all about Kyle Jamieson and he has absolutely ripped apart the batting of the Pakistanis. Out of the seven wickets that have been scalped, five of them are his victims, just shows how good he has been. The Kiwis are just 3 wickets away from glory and it looks like they will wrap up proceedings in the final session. 

We're in for a surprise! Kane Williamson to roll his arm now.

New Zealand review! Kane goes for the review for this caught behind appeal. Ultra Edge rolls in...NO SPIKE. Will remain not out.

Zafar Gohar is the new batsman in.

Matt Henry is back on. 6-2-11-0 are his figures so far.

Trent Boult is back on. 12-4-28-1 are his figures so far.

DRINKS. Just what the hosts would have wanted after the Lunch break, some scalps to their name to apply the pressure and they have done just that. Jamieson has been on fire and he has also got a 5-fer. They just need 4 more wickets and they are also leading by 260 runs. All things point towards a New Zealand win. Whereas, things looks bleak for Pakistan and they will need to climb a mountain, if they are to make anything of this Test.

Faheem Ashraf is the next batsman in.

Mohammad Rizwan is the new batsman in.

Tim Southee is back on. 12-6-21-0 are his numbers so far.

Fawad Alam is the next batsman in.

Daryl Mitchell to bowl from the other end. 3-1-3-0 are his figures so far.

We are back for the second session of Day 4. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail will resume their innings for Pakistan. Kyle Jamieson will start the proceedings for this session.

... Day 4, Session 2 ...

Right then. Seven wickets in hand for Pakistan. They trail by 293 runs. Pakistan have done well so far to add runs to the board and also not suffer too many casualties but they will need more of the same, if they are to survive the barrage the Black Caps' bowlers have for them. Whereas, the hosts will look to snare a couple of more wickets in the second session and they will be looking to end the series on Day 4. An interesting session of play awaits. Join us for the post Lunch session after a short break...

The bowling by the hosts, like much of this Test series, has been really good. They got the start that they wanted when Boult struck early. Jamieson did not want to feel left out and he broke the stand of both the Ali's as he scalped his second wicket of the innings. Their bowling has been good throughout the first session as they have been bowling good lines and lengths and will look to do the same in the second session as well.

Pakistan started off this day not in the best of ways, as they lost their nightwatchman really early on and Abbas took along a review with him as well. Then, a spirited stand looking to be in the works with Abid Ali and Azhar Ali but a wonder catch by Will Young broke this stand. Since then, it has been Azhar and Haris Sohail who had fended off the challenge from the Kiwi bowlers. 

An even first session of play, one could say, based on the way that things have panned out. But again, the Kiwis still hold all the cards to their chest and they will be the happier side heading into the Lunch break. They need 7 wickets to win and with a mountain of runs to achieve, you would place your bets on New Zealand. 

Daryl Mitchell is on to bowl now.

Trent Boult is back on. 9-3-20-1 are his figures so far.

Haris Sohail is the new batsman in.

DRINKS! A good first half of play and both the sides will be happy with how it has gone by. Though, Pakistan will be slightly happier as they have just lost the solitary wicket and that too, it was the wicket of Abbas, who was their nightwatchman. They have Abid and Azhar out there, who are battling it out well. The Kiwis will be hoping to snare one or two more wickets before the Lunch break, which they will hope, should apply some more pressure on the visitors. Will they be able to do so? We will find out..

Matt Henry has been introduced into the attack.

Kyle Jamieson to speed in now. 2-1-1-1 are his figures so far.

Azhar Ali is the next batsman in.

Review time! An appeal for caught behind! Mohammad Abbas is the man in question. He reviews it. Ultra Edge detects a spike on this one.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.

We are all set to begin Day 4. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Abid Ali and Mohammad Abbas will resume their innings for Pakistan. Trent Boult will start the proceedings for Day 4.

Pitch Report - Grant Elliott says that it is a bit overcast today and there might be some early swing. Brendon McCullum joins in and says that there is a bit of discolouration from Day 1. Says that there have been patches which will give some uneven bounce to the surface. Further mentions that the fuller length will test the batsmen there.

Hello and a warm welcome to one and all to Day 4 of this Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan! With the way the game has gone by, should we assume that this could be the final Day of the second Test between these two nations? We will find out soon enough. The Kiwis will certainly be hoping that they can bundle the batters of Pakistan out and wrap up the series on the penultimate day, whereas the visitors would be looking to show their grit and determination and will want to hang out there, for as long as they can. Day 3 was yet another day where the Black Caps dominated and choked the Men in Green out of the game, as they amassed 659 and ended the Day with a lead of 354 runs with 9 wickets in hand. Williamson's boys will be rearing to go out there and show what they can do with the ball in hand. Will the hosts wrap up the series or will Pakistan fight to fall another day? All the answers will be coming your way. Join us as we bring you all the relevant updates...

... Day 4, Session 1 ...

That ends up a tiring day for Pakistan and an enthralling day for New Zealand. Still having a cushion of 354 runs with them, New Zealand would look to have a crack at the Pakistan batsmen early in the morning session on Day 4. Whereas, Pakistan will need to bat out of their skins to stage at least a fightback there. Who will get the honours on Day 4? Will the match end on Day 4? How long will Pakistan second innings last? We will get all the answers on 6th January 2021 as Day 4 begins at 1100 local (2200 GMT). Till then stay safe, take care and cheers.

Daryl Mitchell is down for a chat. He says that he is elated to score his maiden Test ton and further praises his skipper's knock of 238 runs. He is thankful to Kane for giving him an over to have a crack to get to his maiden Test ton. He mentions that the emotions were pretty there having scored a maiden Test ton. Ends by saying that Kyle's running between the wickets helped him achieve his dream of scoring a Test ton for his side.

Starting the second innings, required a lot of grit and composure from the Pakistan openers but it was not to be. They though managed to play out 5 maiden overs on the trot. The introduction of Kyle Jamieson though once again meant Pakistan managed to lose a wicket. It was Masood who went for a duck once again edging one to the third slip. There were a couple of reviews, one each from Pakistan and New Zealand both but no further damage was done to the Pakistan scorecard. As Mohamad Abbas, the nightwatchman along with Abid Ali managed to play out the remaining overs to see of the day without any further damage. New Zealand bowlers in that short 11 overs window started to show their tricks as Jamieson was the one to get into the wickets column. Whereas, Southee and Boult bowled brilliant to pose questions to Pakistan batsmen from ball one.

Having spent 159 overs on the field, Pakistan bowling looked off-colour as all their bowlers were taken for runs. Especially, debutant Zafar Gohar who conceded 159 runs without bowling a single maiden in his 32 overs. The next worse was Naseem Shah who was taken for 141 runs which included 9 No Balls and 12 Wide Balls. Only Afridi, Abbas and Ashraf managed to get into the wickets as they all have a couple of wickets to their name. To go with poor bowling, shoddy fielding and poor catching summed up the innings with the ball for Pakistan where they conceded a lead of 362 runs.

Though Nicholls departed after scoring 157 and stitching a 369-run stand with his skipper, Kane continued the good work as he continued to amass runs at will. Further, he went onto getting to his 4th Test double ton too. The finishing touches to New Zealand innings came from Daryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson as the duo batted for fun. In just 4.5 overs after Tea, they went onto score 60 runs as Mitchell brought about his maiden Test ton.

A brilliant session to cap off an even exciting day for the hosts. Having started 11 runs adrift of Pakistan's total of 297 runs. The pair of Williamson and Nicholls set out on a mission as they went after the bowling of Pakistan and soon wiped out the deficit to get New Zealand into the lead. In the process, they both went past their respective hundreds as Pakistan kept on searching for wickets. The duo went from strength to strength as they stretched the lead beyond 200.

Review Taken! Abid is adjudged LBW and he takes the review. Let's see what the replays have to show. First up a legal delivery it is. As the Ultra Edge comes on and what do we see is a clear spike when the bat is near the ball. So the onfield call needs to be reversed. A successful review from Pakistan sees Abid Ali survive.

Review time! An appeal for lbw! Mohammad Abbas is the man in question. Ultra Edge shows there is no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows that it is umpire's call.

Mohammad Abbas, the nightwatchman is the new batsman in.

Kyle Jamieson is into the attack.

Trent Boult to bowl from the other end.

We are set to begin Pakistan's second innings. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Shan Masood and Abid Ali will open the innings for Pakistan. Tim Southee will start the proceedings for New Zealand.