New Zealand have won a series against Pakistan for the first time in 49 years and delivered the home side just its second Test series loss in the UAE in an incredible 123-run victory.
It was a stunning victory and gives New Zealand only it’s fifth series victory in Asia and its first in a decade.
Yasir Shah was the big story of the match, passing Australian Clarrie Grimmett’s 82-year-old record as the fastest player to 200 wickets, with the Pakistani star completing the record in just 33 Test matches, three matches faster than Grimmett.
The 32-year-old won the man of the series award.
“I feel very happy, because I have won man of the series after a long time,” he said.
“I just try to repeat the right things, and I fixed glitches in my action after working with the video analyst. I just try to focus on doing my best. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t win the series despite the good performance.”
Former cricket star and Pakistani president Imran Khan congratulated the superstar for his incredible record.
Shah even took 29 wickets in the three-match series, but it was a debutant spinner who used to play for New South Wales who gained the headlines.
Leading by 280 into the fourth innings, New Zealand quickly got on top, leaving Pakistan 5/55 before ultimately dismissing the Pakistani’s for 156 to complete the famous victory.
Debutant Will Somerville claimed key wickets in his 3/50 off 20 overs.
The offspinner took seven wickets for the match to put New Zealand in an excellent position.
But it was the inspiring leadership of Kane Williamson which gave New Zealand the win.
In was an impressive performance from New Zealand who scored 274 but finished 74 runs down after the first innings.
Williamson plundered a first innings 89 and went one step further with a stylish 139 in the second innings for his 19th Test century.
“I didn’t wait 49 years. It was fantastic,” Williamson said.
“Beating Pakistan in their backyard is very tough. It feels pretty special, and this will be one that the guys remember for a long time.
“The spinners that came along in this tour, to come here and stand up and play the way they did, you have to bowl a lot of overs to get rewards, but they played a huge part in our win.”
They crumbled to 156 in 56.1 overs on a weary pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The victory gave New Zealand a 2-1 series win after they had taken the first Test by a narrow four-run margin at the same venue.
Pakistan bounced back with an innings and 16-run win in the second Test in Dubai.
New Zealand’s last away series win against Pakistan was a 1-0 victory in matches played in Pakistan in 1969.
It was the Black Caps’ fifth Test series win in their last six played since November 2016.
They have beaten Pakistan, Bangladesh,the West Indies and England — all at home — with the single loss came against South Africa.
— with AFP
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