New Zealand 301-5 at lunch on day 2, 1st test vs. Pakistan

Kane Williamson reached his 23rd test century and shared a 133-run partnership with Henry Nicholls which helped New Zealand to 301-5 at lunch Sunday on second day of first cricket test against Pakistan.

Both batsmen were out in first session, Nicholls for 56 and Williamson for 129 as Pakistan kept a foothold in match. At lunch B.J. Watling was 13 t out and Mitchell Santner was 11.

Williamson resumed at 94 t out after his earlier 120-run partnership with Ross Taylor (70) helped New Zealand to 222-3 by stumps on day one.

Nicholls was 42 t out overnight and quickly went on to his 10th test half-century Sunday, from 108 balls with five boundaries. century partnership between fourth wicket pair, which was Williamson’s third with Nicholls, came from 218 deliveries.

Williamson took 13 balls to score his first runs of day, n reached his century with a superb cover drive from bowling of Naseem Shah. He had batted 419 minutes and hit nine fours and a six.

Williamson began to bat more freely after reaching his century and followed it with a series of boundaries through off side. new ball was only seven overs old at start of play and Williamson’s early watchfulness was understandable as Shaheen Afridi, who took three wickets that fell on first day, continued to bowl well.

Pakistan attack tested Nicholls with a number of short deliveries and at first he resisted temptation to hook or pull. He finally yielded to allure of pull shot from first ball after drinks and was caught behind from bowling of Naseem Shah when New Zealand was 266-4.

Nicholls was through shot early and ball seem to take glove or back of bat as it skied to Shan Masood who ran from slip to take ball in front of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

batsman was reluctant to leave and discussed with Williamson possibility of a review which New Zealand captain appeared to reject. Television replays showed ball missed bat and appeared to come off Nicholls’ forearm.

Williamson’s own dismissal shortly after was subject to review. Williamson edged to slip and Haris Sohail took an excellent low catch from bowling of leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

soft call from on-field umpires was t out, suggesting ball didn’t carry. But replays clearly showed Haris took ball in his right hand inches above ground.

(Im Courtesy: ICC Twitter)