New Zealand won the Bay Oval match against Pakistan by 101 runs with just 27 balls remaining as they became the No.1 ranked side in Test cricket.
New Zealand continued their dominance in home Tests as they notched up a magnificent 101-run win against Pakistan in the Bay Oval Test match. The margin of victory aside, it was a tense win for New Zealand as Pakistan fought till the very end with just 27 balls remaining in the Test match for the visitors to steal a draw. Pakistan were boosted by a century from Fawad Alam and a superb partnership with skipper Mohammad Rizwan. However, once the partnership was broken, Pakisatn once again suffered a dramatic collapse in the final session and despite some determination from the tail, New Zealand managed to pull off a famous win in Kane Williamson's hometown of Bay Oval.
The win was especially significant for New Zealand as they became the No.1 ranked Test team in the world for the first time in their cricketing history. The win has also spiced up the ICC World Test Championship race for the final, with India winning against Australia in Melbourne following their loss in Adelaide. This is the final series for New Zealand in the current cycle and they have ended 2020 on the ultimate high after a tough start in the T20Is against India at the start of the year. New Zealand have beaten India, West Indies as well as drawn a series against Sri Lanka in the ongoing cycle and a win against Pakistan will keep them in a good spot for the final in Lord's that will be played on June 2021.
1. Trent Boult strikes
)
Pakistan had an uphill task in order to survive the Test match at Bay Oval. Their chances of survival were dimmed when Trent Boult removed Azhar Ali in the first over of the final day. New Zealand were expecting that they would roll Pakistan over quickly on the final day. (Image credit: BLACKCAPS Twitter handle)
2. Kyle Jamieson
)
Kyle Jamieson was in great touch as he bowled a total of 26 maidens in the match. This was the second-most by a New Zealand player in Tests after Lance Cairns bowled 29 overs in the 1980 Test against India in Auckland. Kyle Jamieson continued to be in great touch as he built the pressure. (Image credit: BLACKCAPS Twitter handle)
3. Fawad Alam Pakistan
)
Fawad Alam made a century and this was first after 4000 days, having last scored a century in July 2009. Fawad Alam notched up a 165-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan as the duo batted for close to 64 overs. Rizwan and Fawad Alam looked solid and it looked like Pakistan would rescue the match in an epic rearguard. (Image credit: BLACKCAPS Twitter handle)
4. Neil Wagner NZ
)
Neil Wagner showed his mettle and brilliance as he bowled 27 overs with a fractured toe. Neil Wagner was the one who broke the 165-run stand and he also got the wicket of Fawad Alam for 102. The two wickets gave New Zealand a great opening in the final session. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. New Zealand win
)
Pakistan lost five wickets for 31 runs in the final session. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah stitched a solid stand and they consumed close to 50 balls. With just 27 balls to go, it looked like New Zealand would be denied a win. But a fantastic catch from Mitchell Santner gave New Zealand the victory and also helped them scale the summit in the ICC World Test Championship. (Image credit: BLACKCAPS Twitter handle)
