NZ vs PAK 2nd Test Highlights: Williamson & Nicholls put Kiwis Upfront, trails by 11 runs at Stumps

NZ vs PAK 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights: Day 2: Stumps - New Zealand trail by 11 runs

Brief Score: NZ - 286/3 (85 overs) (Williamson 112* Nicholls 89* Abbas 1/37, Afridi 1/45)

PAK - 297 All-out (Azhar Ali 93, Mohammad Rizwan 61, Jamieson 5/69, Southee 2/61)

The second Test is being played between New Zealand and Pakistan (NZ vs PAK) at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. In reply to Pakistan's 297, the Kiwi middle-order batsman Nicholls limps off the field but it's Pakistan who has taken all the blows. The Black Caps ended with 286/3 and 11 runs behind visitors' first innings total at the Stumps on Day 2. Williamson remains unbeaten 112 while Nicholas is on 89 not out.

Skipper Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls weathered the storm and then changed gears automatically that it'll take something exemplary to come back into the match. Both Kiwi batters Williamson and Nicholls stitched an unbeaten 215-run stand for the fourth wicket. Williamson slammed his 24th Test hundred, taking just 35 balls to double his fifty.

STUMPS. Kane Williamson 112* Henry Nicholls 89* (215* run partnership) take the team to the close of play 286/3 and 11 runs behind Pakistan's 1st innings total. Great day of Test cricket at Hagley Oval #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/SJXNoOmQRu

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 4, 2021

At one stage, The Kiwis were 71/3, the hosts should've been 74/4 if not for that dreaded no-ball which perhaps changed the entire complication for them as Nicholls survives from there on. Pakistan pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Abbas were on top in the first hour after lunch, bowling exceptionally on these bouncy tracks. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, and Faheem Ashraf each picked up one wicket each.

Stand, and applaud for this generational talent.

Kane Williamson brings up his 24th Test century and his first at Hagley Oval ⭕️🏏#NZvPAK #InsideEdge pic.twitter.com/IjGVlF1mff

— Spark Sport (@sparknzsport) January 4, 2021

Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan were all-out for 297 in their first innings. Kiwi pacers were exceptional especially Kyle Jamieson, who has been phenomenal on Day 1 and took his third five-wicket haul (5/69). Tim Southee and Trent Boult also picked two wickets each for the home side.