Kane Williamson and Tom Latham beat opposing hundreds Wednesday to propel New Zealand to 440-6 at the close on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Karachi. Williamson survived two stumps and a leg-before decision before hitting an unbeaten 105, while Ish Sodhi was down to one, with the tourists leading by two runs. Williamson’s 25th Test century is his first in international cricket since he made 238, also against Pakistan, in Christchurch last January.
He built on a solid foundation laid by openers Latham, who cracked 113 en route to his 13th Test century, and Devon Conway, who fell for 92.
With the National Stadium pitch likely to turn for the past two days, New Zealand will look to take home their advantage in the first test of the two-match series, their first in Pakistan since 2002.
Williamson pushed fast bowler Mohammad Wasim for a sharp single to complete his hundred, a fifth against Pakistan. In total, he hit 356 minutes, breaking 11 boundaries.
But Pakistan were left with missed opportunities as wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed fumbled twice with Williamson on 15 and 21 – spinner Nauman Ali the unlucky bowler on both occasions.
“I think they were chances, but one of the deliveries was on the leg side and Sarfaraz gave his best,” said Nauman. “This field is on the slow side so our effort will be to get the last four wickets early on day four and then set a good target of close to 200 – which will be good on this field.”
Williamson added a solid 90 for the fifth wicket with Tom Blundell, who fell to Wasim after scoring 47. Pakistan spin duo Nauman and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets in the after-lunch session with Henry Nicholls falling for 22 and Daryl Mitchell scoring a robust 47-ball 42. Ahmed, who has figures of 3-143, also had Michael Bracewell for five .
Decision overturned
Williamson, who also overturned a leg-before decision against him on 13, added 65 for the fourth wicket with Mitchell. Mitchell broke seven boundaries and a six including four straight fours from Wasim after Pakistan took the second new ball at 272-3.
Previously, resumed at 165 without a loss, New Zealand was lifted by Latham’s 13th hundred – most centuries by a New Zealand opener. Latham swept Ahmed for a single to reach three figures, eclipsing John Wright’s 12 centuries as opener for New Zealand.
He was eventually dismissed for 113 after making a wrong move and being caught slipping. Latham, who hit ten boundaries in his 288-minute knock, thinks New Zealand is in good shape to push for a win.
“The field is starting to take more turns from the footsteps, so obviously it’s not getting any easier to hit,” he said. “Hopefully from the position we are in we can take as much lead as possible and put pressure on Pakistan.”
Latham and Devon Conway scored 183 for the first wicket, beating the New Zealand record against Pakistan of 181 set by openers Mark Richardson and Matthew Bell in Hamilton in 2001. fifth Test half century.
The Pakistani camp has been hit by a viral flu with skipper Babar Azam not appearing on the field during the first session and Agha Salman being absent all day.
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