New Zealand attain no.1 Test ranking for the maiden time

New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, have become ICC’s number-one ranked Test team for the first time in the history of their cricketing journey. The Black Caps achieved the glory after they whitewashed Pakistan in the recently-concluded two-match series on home soil. The team dethroned Tim Paine’s Australia from the top position and has 118 rating points.

The Aussies have slipped down to second and currently has 116 rating points. They are busy facing India in the four-match Test series, which is currently locked at 1-1. The third and penultimate Test gets underway on Thursday, January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Aussies lost the second Test in Melbourne by eight wickets and would be keen to make a strong comeback.

🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND ARE NO.1️⃣🎉

Victory over Pakistan has sent Kane Williamson's side to the 🔝 of the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings!

They have achieved the feat for the first time in rankings history 👏 pic.twitter.com/8lKm6HebtO

— ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2021

New Zealand dominant against Pakistan

In the first Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, the Kiwis won by 101 runs after some stern resistance from Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam, who scored a century as well. But in the second match at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the hosts put forth an even more clinical show, winning by a mammoth margin of an innings and 176 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to field, they restricted Pakistan to 297 runs in 83.5 overs. Kyle Jamieson’s five-wicket haul rocked the visitors. In the Kiwis’ first innings, they put on 659 runs on the board. Williamson led the charge, scoring 238 runs off 364 balls with the help of 28 fours. It was also his second double ton in a space of around 30 days after the one against West Indies.

He got the apt support from Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell, who both notched centuries. Nicholls was patient as his 157 came off 291 balls with 18 fours and one six. Mitchell was the more attacking off the two, scoring 102 runs off 112 balls as he played at a strike-rate of 112.

Mitchell’s knock was laced with eight fours and two sixes. In their second innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 186. Azhar Ali and Zafar Gohar scored 37 runs each and top-scored for them. Captain Kane becoming ICC’s number-one ranked Test batter also attributed to the Black Caps’ rise.