Fawad Alam had scored a century after 4000 days after last achieving the milestone in 2009. The left-hander had shared a 165-run stand with captain Mohammad Rizwan. For the first two sessions, Pakistan had not lost a single wicket and it looked like the Test match was heading for a draw. However, in a dramatic final session, Pakistan lost five wickets for 31 runs as New Zealand won the Bay Oval Test match by 101 runs to continue their surge in the ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand also had to contend with the final wicket pair of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah who batted out for 48 balls. However, with just 27 balls remaining, Naseem Shah chipped a full ball back to Mitchell Santner as New Zealand registered a tense win. With this win, New Zealand are now officially the No.1 ranked Test team in the world after India defeated Australia in Melbourne. It was a sensational achievement for New Zealand who had to work really hard on the final day for the win.
The day began brilliantly for New Zealand when Trent Boult got rid of Azhar Ali. However, that was all the success that New Zealand had for at least 60 overs as Fawad Alam and skipper Mohammad Rizwan managed to hold on against some disciplined bowling. Kyle Jamieson was metronomic while Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner created chances. Wagner did not bowl much on the final day as he had suffered a fractured toe while batting and his availabiity for the second Test at Hagley Oval is in doubt. Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan stitched a solid 165-run stand, with Fawad Alam scoring a century and Mohammad Rizwan compiling a well-deserved fifty. Both players struck boundaries and rotated the strike well, with the pair growing in confidence with every passing over.
New Zealand show grit
When the final session came, Fawad Alam and Rizwan were still hanging on. Fawad Alam notched up his century but it was Kyle Jamieson who ended the massive partnership when he had Rizwan trapped in front for 70. They were also aided by some luck with the DRA going in favour of New Zealand. After Fawad Alam notched up his century, it was the tireless perseverance of Neil Wager who got him despite an injury. Wagner peppered him with hte short ball and Fawad Alam gloved it to the keeper who took a great catch.
Jamieson sent back Yasir Shah but it was Wagner who snuffed out any chances of a draw. After bowling short at Faheem Ashraf, the bowler suckered him with a full ball and Ashraf, who missed his century in the first innings, departed. When Mohammad Abbas was trapped LBW, Pakistan still had over 12 overs to bat. Shaheen Afridi was hit on the helmet and he was given a concussion test which he passed but looked in discomfort. Shaheen Afridi, along with Naseem Shah, hung in dourly for close to 50 balls but Mitchell Santner ended the contest when he took a stunning one-handed catch off Naseem Shah to set off wild celebrations in Bay Oval and ensure New Zealand ended a difficult 2020 at the top of the world rankings.
