Twitter Reactions: Kane Williamson beats the Monday blues with a brilliant ton

Probably Kane Williamson never gets bored of standing up for his side when they desperately need him. On Day 2 of the second Test against Pakistan, it was the skipper who yet again led the charge with the bat and scored a flawless unbeaten 112 as New Zealand ended Day 2 at a commanding 286/3 in the second Test at Christchurch. They now trail Pakistan by just 11 runs, with 7 wickets intact.

The skipper was involved in an unbroken 215 run partnership for the fourth wicket alongside Henry Nicholls, as Pakistan were made to toil hard on the second day. Nicholls, on his part, finished the day unbeaten on 89, as the duo literally batted Pakistan out of the match. The pair of Williamson and Nicholls were at the crease for 55 overs and piled on the misery for the visitors.

As far as the bowlers are concerned, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, and Faheem Ashraf picked up one wicket each. Pakistan were also quite benevolent on the field as well. They dropped Nicholls a few times, and the left-hander was even caught by keeper Rizwan off the bowling of Shaheen Afridi only for the replays to confirm that Shaheen had actually overstepped. The visitors certainly need to pull up their socks if they harbor thoughts of making a comeback on Day 3.

Pakistan prize out Kiwi top order cheaply

In the first session, the left-right opening duo of Tom Blundell and Tom Latham put on a 52-run partnership for the opening wicket. But then, three quick wickets sent the Kiwis on the backfoot. Blundell was the first man to depart. Faheem Ashraf bowled a full-length delivery, and Blundell was struck on the pads. The umpire refused to raise his finger, but Pakistan went upstairs for a review. Replays confirmed that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. Pakistan drew first blood.

Immediately in the next over, Shaheen Afridi removed Tom Latham. The left-hander went for the drive and the ball took the outside edge of his willow. Even though Shan Masood fumbled it, Haris Sohail was quick to react and pouched the rebound in the slips before the ball could touch the ground. Veteran Ross Taylor was the next man to depart, and it was Mohammad Abbas who got the better of Taylor. Abbas induced the false shot from Taylor by bowling a short delivery and the Black Caps’ veteran edged the cherry to the slip cordon.

But then, the duo of Williamson and Nicholls sent Pakistan on a leather hunt to tilt the scales in New Zealand’s favor at the end of Day Two. And without doubt, at the end of the second day, the hosts have their noses in front while Pakistan have a lot of catching up to do. And needless to say, Williamson was the star of the day. Watching him at his best is a feast for the viewers, and the Black Caps will hope that he will continue to feast on the visitors on Day 3 as well.

Here are the best tweets: