New Zealand recovered after Shaheen Afridi's early strikes as Kane Williamson inches towards another Test century
New Zealand had another commanding day at the office as they finished on the top after the first day of the first test against Pakistan. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi pegged the Kiwis back with two early strikes as New Zealand were 13/2.
On a greenish surface, New Zealand had to grind to create the scoring opportunities and the ever dependable duo of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson did just that.
Both Taylor and Williamson took their time initially and saw off Shaheen's opening burst. After which, it was a batting masterclass from the pair. Williamson-Taylor stitched a 120-run partnership as both of them drew New Zealand out of troubled waters and took them to a position of strength.
Williamson continued on his merry run even after Tayor was dismissed. He found New Zealand's last Test's hero Henry Nicholls as an able partner as the duo kept milking runs and Pakistan bowlers started runnig out of ideas.
Williamson stayed unbeaten on 94 as he inched closer to another Test century.
1. Kane scoring runs for fun
)
Another Test match at home, another classy knock, another Test century beckons. It's becoming too easy for Kane Williamson these days - scoring runs in every form with effortless ease.
Williamson had to dig in on the Boxing Day and had to play out the opening burst from the Pakistan pacers, especially the left-armer Shaheen Afridi. After which, it was just a one-man show.
Williamson found able support from Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls as he piled on runs. This wasn't as fluent a Williamson innings that everyone is used to seeing, but it did have his signature shots. The skipper stayed unbeaten on 94 as he inched closer towards his 23rd Test century. (Image: Blackcaps)
2. Streaker runs on the pitch
)
Well, this was quite unusal. As a streaker ran towards the middle of the pitch. Hands on his private parts, the naked man ran quickly during the game and interrupted the proceedings.
After which he had to be escorted by the security personnel, who were unsuccessful in their first attempt to hold on to him and then one of the officers had to grab him tight and push to the ground to take him out of the field of play. (Image: Twitter)
3. Taylor-ing on in his 438th international appearance for NZ
)
Ross Taylor, the veteran of the New Zealand cricket became the most capped New Zealand player when he featured in the hosts' playing XI for the first Test against Pakistan.
Taylor walked in to bat at 13/2 and had to play time as it wasn't a free-flowing scoring day for the hosts. A bit similar to the Williamson's innings, Taylor too took his time and wasn't his usual fluent self but his innings was more composed than his partner.
Taylor kept ticking the scorecard as and when he got balls, he lapped them up as he hit 10 fours and a six in his well-compiled knock of 70. (Image: Blackcaps)
4. Shaheen Shah Afridi - the sole Pakistan star on Day 1
)
The left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi's stars continued to rise in the first test against New Zealand as he was the sole wicket-taker for Pakistan on the first day.
Afridi started the day on a smashing note for the visitors as he removed opening batsman Tom Latham in the first over itself. Afridi didn't take much time to get his second as he removed the other Tom, i.e., Blundell as well to reduce New Zealand to 13/2.
Afridi also broke the 120-run partnership between Taylor and Williamson as he sent Taylor back, who edged it into the hands of skipper and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, to finish with figures of 3/55 on the day. (Image: Twitter)
5. Another partnership for New Zealand, this time Williamson-Nicholls
)
After Taylor's departure, Williamson marched on and this time he found an able ally in left-hander Henry Nicholls who is coming off from a brilliant 174 against the West Indies.
Nicholls too played a steady knock as he had Williamson's calming influence in his company. Both took their time, and chances in equal measure and din't let the hosts lose anymore wicket on the day as they shared an unbeaten partnership of 89 runs as they negogiated a tricky 7-over period with the new ball. (image: Blackcaps)
That's stumps on DAY ONE with Captain Kane Williamson & Henry Nicholls negotiating a tricky new-ball period before the close of play
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 26, 2020
222/3 | Williamson 94* | Nicholls 42*#NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/LOWg2OJP2S
