Mount Maunganui, 26 December 2020: Captain Kane Williamson was batting on 94 as New Zealand finished at 222 for three in their first innings on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Bay Oval Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early in the New Zealand innings as he sent openers Tom Latham (4) and Tom Blundell (5) packing with only 13 runs on the board.
New Zealand were then rescued by the experienced pair of Williamson and Ross Taylor who added 120 runs for the third-wicket partnership. Taylor reached his 50 off 127 balls with the help of eight fours; he became Shaheen’s third victim of the day falling to a catch behind the wickets by captain Mohammad Rizwan.
Taylor’s 70 was compiled off 151 balls and included 10 fours and one six.
Williamson who reached his 50 off 154 balls immediately after the Tea interval remained undefeated when the stumps were drawn for the day. Williamson has so far added 89 runs for the fourth-wicket with Henry Nicholls and was batting on 94 off 243 balls (eight fours, one six).
Nicholls is batting on 42 off 100 balls (four fours). Shaheen took all three wickets to fall on the day for Pakistan; he ended the day with figures of three for 55 in 20 overs.
Scores in brief:
New Zealand 222 for 3, 87 overs (Kane Williamson 94 not out, Ross Taylor 70, Henry Nicholls 42 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-55)
