New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, after a thrilling four-wicket win, felt the opening Test between Pakistan and the Kiwis at Abu Dhabi was a great advertisement for Test cricket.
Meanwhile, Pakistan looked well placed at 130 for three in pursuit of chasing 176 with Asad Shafiq(45) and Azhar Ali(65) at the crease. But debutant Ajaz Patel had some other plans as he rattled the host with a brilliant five-wicket haul to seal the game by four runs. Furthermore, Pakistan lost its final seven wickets for just 41 runs and was down by four runs.
Speaking after the game, Kane Williamson rated this win as one of his best wins. The Kiwi skipper feels to beat Pakistan at their own territory is a very big achievement. In addition to, Williamson added that the way this Test match panned out, it was a great advertisement for this format.
“Yes, without a doubt. The best in recent memory,” he said. “In these conditions, Pakistan are a very strong side. To get through them in four days and stay in the match and come out with this result must obviously rank as one of our best wins.
“It certainly was dramatic. Throughout the four days, both teams were put under pressure. I think at the end of the day it was a great advertisement for Test cricket,” he added.
The attitude was brilliant
Kane Williamson lauded the attitude of the players and also said that they should hold onto it. He also urged the players to build on this fighting spirit going into the next game.
“The attitude, certainly today and throughout the game, was brilliant. How those two bowlers [Patel and Neil Wagner] bowled, for almost I think 20 overs, was brilliant. From our perspective, it’s important to look at things we could have done better, but at the same, the fighting spirit we showed, we would like to hold on to that.
“I think the fighting attributes of this team really shone through and certainly today, it’s important to build on a number of parts to go into the next game, for sure,” he concluded.