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: