Williamson, Nicholls make Pakistan toil in Abu Dhabi
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson scored his 19th career century to help the Kiwis fight back on day 4 of the third and deciding Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Williamson was unbeaten on 139 and together with Henry Nicholls (90 not out) the duo shared in a yet to be broken stand of 212 as the Black Caps closed the day on 272/4, a lead of 198.
The pair came together when the tourists lost nightwatchman Will Somerville (4) and Ross Taylor (22) to leave themselves in trouble at 60/4.
Somerville went lbw to Yasir Shah to give the Pakistan leg-spinner his 200th wicket in the longest format.
Yasir has reached the 200-wicket milestone faster than any other player in Test history – taking 33 matches – beating another leg-spinner, Clarrie Grimmett of Australia, who reached the mark in his 36th Test 82 years ago.
Taylor was dismissed by left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi but Williamson and Nicholls buckled down to first knock over the deficit and then put New Zealand ahead.
The duo batted out two full sessions, combating Pakistan kingpin Yasir and off-spinner Bilal Asif, who took five wickets in the first innings.
Nicholls is now in sight of his third Test hundred and with the Kiwis hoping to still build the lead further on the final day to try and push for a series win.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.