New Zealand has won the first test after defeating Pakistan by 101 runs at Bay Oval on Wednesday. Kiwis lead the series with 1-0.

A fourth-wicket stand of 140 between Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, spanning 52.3 overs, gave Pakistan a genuine shot of saving the first Test at Mount Maunganui.

However, Pakistan were dismissed for 271, chasing a victory target of 372, with 4.3 overs remaining in the test at Bay Oval.

Pakistan began the final day at 71-3.  New Zealand had been hot favorites to win the game but a 165-run partnership between Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan gave the tourists a chance of a draw.

Fawad batted out of an unorthodox open stance, with his front foot well outside leg stump. While he has to adjust his stance after the ball is bowled, he has been able to play a full range of shots. Rizwan has been particularly effective driving on the off side.

The second match in the two-test series will be played at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from Jan. 3 and New Zealand need to win that game as well to give them any chance of making the Test Championship final at Lord’s.

New Zealand Squad

Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wk), Will Young

Pakistan Squad

Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah.

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