Twitter Reactions: Kane Williamson's 23rd Test ton propels New Zealand to 431; Pakistan lose a wicket in response

Pakistan ended Day 2 at 30/1 after 20 overs.

By R Sai Siddhharth

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Kane Williamson
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Kane Williamson. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Just when it looked as if Pakistan would close out Day two without any damage, Kyle Jamieson removed Shan Masood at the fag end in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand. The visitors ended the second Day at 30/1. It was an inspired spell of fast bowling from the Kiwi pacers, as they beat the bat on a number of occasions in the 20 overs that the Pakistan batsmen spent in the middle.

A resolute Watling helps New Zealand go past the 400-mark

For the Kiwis, it was BJ Watling who was the catalyst with the bat on Day two. The wicket keeper scored a resolute 73 off 145 balls, to help New Zealand post a total of 431 runs on the board. In fact, at one stage, the hosts had lost three quick wickets with the score reading 317/6 and Pakistan looking to assert their dominance. But the pair of Watling and lanky Kyle Jamieson steadied the ship with a 66-run stand.

In his 145-ball stay, Watling scored 8 boundaries and looked solid in the middle. He was proficient against both pace and spin, and neutralized the Pakistani bowling attack by blending attack with solid fortification.

Williamson scores century No.23

Earlier in the day, Henry Nicholls was the first batsman to depart. To a short delivery from youngster Naseem Shah, the left hander attempted a hook shot, the ball brushed his arm and settled into the hands of Shan Masood at slip. Though the ball did not brush his bat or his glove, the left hander did not go for a review, and was unlucky to depart in the way he did.

At the other end, Kane Williamson got to his 23rd Test hundred with a picturesque cover drive off Naseem Shah. But then, just when the batting maestro looked all set to continue his dominance against the visitors, Yasir Shah’s flighted delivery proved to be his undoing. The ball from Shah pitched on off stump, spun sharply, took the outside edge, and Haris Sohail pouched a stunner at first slip.

Pakistan then scalped Mitchell Santner to leave New Zealand in some trouble at 317/6, but BJ Watling’s defiance with the willow allowed the Kiwis to go past 400. For the visitors, Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 4/109 while Yasir Shah scalped three.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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