‘Our seamers were world-class’ – Williamson

An allrounder on debut took 6 wickets for 41, and a rookie opener hit 55 and 36 not out to claim the game’s highest aggregate, yet it was day three’s bowling effort that broke the match open, Kane Williamson said.

Though New Zealand had secured a first-innings lead of 67, Pakistan had moved to 58 for 1 in the second innings, and appeared to be settling in, on a flattening surface. In an extended spell of tight and hostile bowling, however, New Zealand struck a double-blow, claiming the wickets of Babar Azam and Younis Khan in quick succession. They also accounted for Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed in a 15-ball burst in the third session, and when Mohammad Amir departed not long after, Pakistan had lost six wickets for 47 runs – their match prospects in tatters.

“Without a doubt our bowling effort in the second innings was the decisive period,” Williamson said. “We were hoping for some movement off the surface and Pakistan showed a lot of resistance – especially early – and were very patient. But the way that four seamers got into spells and held their areas for long periods at a time, it was world class. They passed it over for the next bloke to take up the baton, and it was a huge effort being patient and getting the rewards later on in the day yesterday.”

“We didn’t …

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