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NZ vs PAK 2018: Credit to Kane Williamson for his Knock - Sarfraz Ahmed

By Krishna Chopra

Updated - 06 Jan 2018, 06:52 PM

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 06: Kane Williamson of New Zealand bats during game one of the One Day International Series between the New Zealand Black Caps and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on January 6, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

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Carrying on their rich vein of form against the Windies, New Zealand commenced the home series against Pakistan in utter dominance.

Led by the ever-remarkable Kane Williamson, the Kiwis were just too dominant for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Coming on the back of a nine-match winning streak, beginning from their encounter against South Africa in England, Pakistan finally had to taste defeat. Batting first on a flat deck, Colin Munro was off and running right away, as his 58 off just 35 deliveries provided New Zealand off to a blazing start.

However, it was the calm and class of Kane Williamson which stood out as the New Zealand captain stood out with a timely 115.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 06: Kane Williamson of New Zealand celebrates his century with teammate Henry Nicholls during game one of the One Day International Series between the New Zealand Black Caps and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on January 6, 2018, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Chasing 316, Pakistan were rocked early in the first over, losing two quick wickets, including that of Babar Azam. Southpaw Fakhar Zaman led the fight with a resilient knock of 82, but with rain having the final say, Pakistan were 61 runs short by the D/L method in the 31st over when the game came to an end.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 06: Sarfraz Ahmed of Pakistan leaves the field after being dismissed during game one of the One Day International Series between the New Zealand Black Caps and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on January 6, 2018, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Post the loss, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was in full awe of his counterpart.

“Very tough conditions for us,” said Sarfaraz. “Credit to New Zealand batsmen; Williamson batted very well. We’ll sit together and do better in the next game. It’s a setback for us, especially after losing two wickets in the first over.”

Williamson was named the Man of the Match for his ton, and the soft-spoken right-hander was delighted.

“It’s nice to be on the right side of the result. It was great to get one today against a strong Pakistan side. It was important to start well in the series. Guptill and Munro set the tone at the top of the order. We had a good first half and the way these guys came and attacked, picking those key wickets was brilliant.”

“Pakistan are different from Windies, and it’s important to adapt to that. I think we did that well today. It was a very good surface, but at the same time, when we are up against Pakistan we have to be at our best. They won the Champions Trophy on very similar surfaces,” Williamson added.

Follow the links below to stay updated on Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand.

NZ vs PAK 2018, 1st ODI: Kane Williamson’s hundred Puts NZ 1-0 Ahead in the ODI Series

New Zealand Returns to the No 1 spot in ICC T20I Rankings

 

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