In the previous match, NZ won the game by 101 runs. As much as it was a good end of the year for NZ, Pakistan unit had to walk into the new year with a defeat. NZ looked forward to a win and claim the top test team position while PAK looked forward to win this one in order to stay in the game and start the year with a good win. The second and the final test match between New Zealand and Pakistan was held at Hagley Oval, Christchurch from 3rd January 2021 – 6th January 2021.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Pakistan faltered in the first session of the game when they were reduced to four down below 100, but they recovered well on the back of an impressive innings by Azhar Ali (93 off 172) who fell just short of his hundred, followed by few gutsy knocks by Faheem Ashraf (48 off 88) and the Pakistani skipper Mohammad Rizwan (61 off 71) which got the total score of Pakistan to 297. Pakistan started off well with the ball, having taken the crucial wickets of the Kiwi top order batsmen and having New Zealand 71/3 at one stage. Although, Pakistan dropped a few crucial chances which proved to be a massive break for the host to capitalize on the momentum gained in the middle phase of their innings.
New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson scored a fabulous 238 off 364 while continuing his fine form during the summer, along with his partner-in-crime Henry Nicholls who also scored 157 off 291 balls. Daryl Mitchell’s late blitz in the innings which got him his maiden test match hundred with a strike rate of 91.07, guiding New Zealand to a match winning total of 659-6. Pakistan already behind the game with a deficit of 362 runs in the second innings, could not gain any momentum as they went on to be bundled out for 186 thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling by Kyle Jamieson (6 for 48) and Trent Boult (3 for 43).
Scores at glance:
| Pakistan 1st Innings (297-10) | ||
| Batsman | Runs | Balls faced |
| Azar Ali | 93 | 172 |
| Rizwan | 61 | 71 |
| Bowlers | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Jamieson | 21 | 8 | 69 | 5 |
| Southee | 23 | 7 | 61 | 2 |
| Boult | 20.5 | 3 | 82 | 2 |
Extras: 17
| New Zealand 1st innings (659-6) d | ||
| Batsman | Runs | Balls faced |
| Williamson | 238 | 364 |
| Henry Nicholls | 157 | 291 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 102 | 112 |
| Bowlers | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Shaheen Afridi | 35.5 | 8 | 101 | 2 |
| Mohammad Abbas | 34 | 11 | 98 | 2 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 28 | 4 | 106 | 2 |
Extras: 64
| Pakistan 2nd Innings (186-10) | ||
| Batsman | Runs | Balls faced |
| Azhar Ali | 37 | 98 |
| Zafar Gohar | 37 | 64 |
| Bowlers | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Jamieson | 20 | 6 | 48 | 6 |
| Trent Boult | 18.4 | 6 | 43 | 3 |
Extras: 7
New Zealand won the match and the series 2-0. The Player of the match was awarded to the Kiwi quick Kyle Jamieson and the player of the series was awarded to the captain of New Zealand, Kane Williamson.
New Zealand not only sealed the series with a win but are now the No. 1 test team which is for the first time ever in New Zealand Cricket history!!
Ekantika Iyer (Guest Author, Beyond the Matches) | Sanchit Desai (Team, Beyond the Matches)