Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023

‘King of red-ball cricket’ – Fans in awe of Kane Williamson as he scores his fifth double-hundred in first Test against Pakistan

New Zealand declared the innings on 612/9 with a lead of 174.
Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson (Source: Twitter)

Pakistan and New Zealand are locking horns in the first Test of the two-match series at National Stadium, Karachi. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 438 runs on the board in the first innings. In reply, New Zealand scored a massive 612/9 in the second innings of the match courtesy of a brilliant double hundred by Kane Williamson.

New Zealand got off to a great start as openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway added 183 runs for the first wicket. Nauman Ali gave Pakistan their first success as he dismissed Devon Conway on 92 on Day 3 which brought Kane Williamson to the crease.

Williamson was first involved in a 48-run stand for the second wicket with Tom Latham who scored a brilliant 113. He was further involved in a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell who contributed 42 runs in the innings. Williamson brought up his fifty in the second session on Day 3 with the help of seven fours in his innings.

The former Kiwi Test captain was further involved in a 90-run stand with Tom Blundell which left New Zealand just 11 runs short of Pakistan’s first innings total. The 32-year-old brought up his 25th Test hundred just before stumps on Day 3 as New Zealand finished on 440/6 at stumps.

Ish Sodhi and Kane Williamson took NZ past Pak’s total

On Day 4 it seemed that New Zealand will get bowled out soon with Williamson running out of batting partners. However, Ish Sodhi hung around with Williamson as the duo were involved in a massive 159-run stand for the seventh wicket.

The partnership was finally broken by Abrar Ahmed as he dismissed Sodhi for a well-made 65. It looked like Williamson will easily complete his double hundred with New Zealand having three wickets in hand. However, they lost two wickets quickly after Sodhi’s wicket and were 597/9 with Williamson on 186.

No 11 batter Ajaz Patel hung around with Williamson as he brought up his 5th double-hundred in Test cricket. He remained unbeaten on 200 as Tim Southee declared the innings on 612/9 with Pakistan having a lead of 174. This was also Williamson’s second score of exactly 200 unbeaten as he also reached the landmark against Bangladesh in 2019 in Hamilton.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Williamson’s innings. Here are some of the Tweets:

 

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