PAK vs NZ: Twitter reacts after Kane Williamson's ecstatic double century

Stepping away from Test captaincy proved to be the correct decision for Kane Williamson. After being relieved from the duties, the experienced batter got to his 25th Test ton, and converted it into his fifth Test double century. After having hit a century on the third day of the Test against Pakistan, Williamson continued to bat with composure on the fourth day and reached the 200-run mark.

Williamson, who had been going through a string of poor performances, bounced back in style and led New Zealand’s batting unit from the front. Pakistan batters were brilliant in the first innings as they put up a total of 438 runs on board. But New Zealand, the reigning World Test Champions, looked determined as the top-order batters put up a brilliant show on display.

Williamson remained unbeaten at the end of the third day and continued to get the crucial runs on the fourth day as well. New Zealand kept losing wickets after Abrar Ahmed broke the partnership between Williamson and Ish Sodhi. Pakistan had to pick just one wicket to put an end to New Zealand’s innings, but the tailenders kept their calm and supported Williamson brilliantly at the other end.

New Zealand declared the innings as soon as Williamson got to his double hundred. The top-order batter played a slow innings and remained unbeaten at 200*(395) when New Zealand declared at 612/9. After quick wickets tumbled towards the end, spinner Ajaz Patel maintained his place in the crease, without scoring any runs, till Williamson got to his 200.

With the double century, Williamson surpassed Kiwi great Brendon McCullum’s record of most double centuries in Tests for New Zealand. The former New Zealand Test skipper is now the New Zealander with the most Test double centuries, accounting for five. Williamson had struggled to get even get to a half-century in his last few games but bounced back stronger to put up a record score.

Speaking of New Zealand’s innings, openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham shared a 183-run stand before the former was dismissed. Thereon, the game was dominated by Kane Williamson. He shared a 65-run stand with Daryl Mitchell for the fourth wicket and a 90-run stand for the fifth wicket with Tom Blundell. Williamson and Ish Sodhi added 159 runs for the seventh wicket and batted for almost three and a half hours to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Williamson’s double century:

A fifth Test double-hundred for Kane Williamson & his first overseas! The Karachi crowd & his teammates rise to applaud his 395 ball knock. His milestone also brings the declaration at 612/9, a lead of 174. Tea taken! Follow play LIVE in NZ with @skysportnz & @SENZ_Radio #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/S430Pri36u

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 29, 2022

Yes Kane 200no, nice way to finish 2022. #Class is permanent. #PAKvNZ

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 29, 2022

What an innings! 🙌#PAKvNZ | #WTC23 | 📝 https://t.co/HdzZd88nK3 pic.twitter.com/rSv8sHBrsc

— ICC (@ICC) December 29, 2022

Take a bow, Kane Williamson!

📸: SonyLiv#CricTracker #KaneWilliamson #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/ilvfMXQrui

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 29, 2022

✅ 5️⃣th Double Hundred 👏😍
✅ Crosses 7️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in Test Cricket 🔥🙌

He 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙚, he scored, he conquered 💪💙#PAKvNZ

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) December 29, 2022

A simple missed stumping that cost 179 runs #PAKvNZ #Cricket pic.twitter.com/1K0ADoEHhI

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 29, 2022

5th double hundred for Kane Williamson, the best in business from New Zealand showing his class. What an incredible player. pic.twitter.com/J7em5k9Tiz

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 29, 2022

7568 runs at an average of 54.06 in Test cricket - Kane Williamson is a champion in red ball cricket. pic.twitter.com/66ixqAXMLf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 29, 2022

Kane Williamson 22 has really made my 2022 pic.twitter.com/KJma8SqYWE

— Sritama (Ross Taylor’s version) (@cricketpun_duh) December 29, 2022

Kane Williamson gets what Babar missed, a workmanlike double hundred. His last century in Tests was against Pakistan in January 2021. I feel for Nauman & Abrar having sent down 131 overs in tandem. Sore fingers, I suppose, aching shoulders….what’s next?

— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) December 29, 2022

Well played Kane Williamson. A magnificent double century, the second of this Test match and just a few balls faster than Ahmed's too.

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) December 29, 2022

Double hundred by Kane Williamson - a superb batting display by the former captain, his 5th double century in Tests! pic.twitter.com/mp6jctbM8D

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 29, 2022