NEW Zealand captain Kane Williamson lauded the performance of his team after the Black Caps crushed Pakistan in the opening Test to end a five-match winless run.Williamson led from the front as New Zealand defeated Pakistan by eight-wickets in Christchurch on Sunday.
Set 105 for victory at Hagley Oval on day four, Williamson scored 61 and debutant Jeet Raval finished 36 not out to see the Kiwis to a comprehensive win against the visitors.
The result ended New Zealand’s Test drought, having drawn to South Africa in August before losing the second match against the Proteas, while they were swept 3-0 by India in September.
“Naturally it’s tough coming off a few losses but it’s good to be home and the boys stepped it up and put some of those feelings of defeat behind us to play a very good test match,” Williamson said in an interview post-match.
“The first innings it did a bit for both teams and there were two low scores.
“But we knew that second innings would be really important against a strong side like Pakistan who tour very well.
“It was a very good performance.”
Pakistan resumed at 129-7 – a lead of 62 runs in their second innings – before they were bowled out for 171.
Tim Southee (3-53) claimed two wickets on Sunday, despite the best efforts of Sohail Khan (40) and Asad Shafiq (17), who combined for a 53-run partnership.
“As a professional, as the number two test team in the world we should be better than that,” said Azhar Ali as the series moves to Hamilton for the second and final Test, starting Friday.
“We should have put in a better batting show, especially the first innings. It was quite helpful for the bowlers but I think we could have scored more runs which would have helped because on that kind of track you’re always in the game.”(Omnisport.com)

PAKISTAN 1st innings 133 (C. de Grandhomme 6-41)
New Zealand 1st innings 200 (J. Raval 55; R. Ali 4-62)
Pakistan 2nd innings (Overnight: 129-7)
S. Aslam c Watling b de Grandhomme 7
Az. Ali b Boult 31
B. Azam c Watling b Wagner 29
Y. Khan c Watling b Wagner 1
Misbah-ul-Haq c Boult b Southee 13
A. Shafiq c Raval b Wagner 17
S. Ahmed b Boult 2
M. Amir c Astle b Boult 6
So. Khan c de Grandhomme b Southee 40
Y. Shah not out 6
R. Ali c Latham b Southee 2
Extras (b-5 lb-7 w-5) 17
Total (all out, 78.4 overs) 171
Fall of wickets: 1-21 S. Aslam,2-58 B. Azam,3-64 Y. Khan,4-93 Misbah-ul-Haq,5-93 Az. Ali,6-95 S. Ahmed,7-105 M. Amir,8-158 So. Khan,9-166 A. Shafiq,10-171 R. Ali
Bowling: T. Boult 17 – 5 – 37 – 3(w-1),T. Southee 23.4 – 10 – 53 – 3,
C. de Grandhomme 14 – 4 – 23 – 1, N. Wagner 20 – 6 – 34 – 3,
T. Astle 4 – 0 – 12 – 0.
NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 105 runs)
T. Latham c Shafiq b Amir 9
J. Raval not out 36
K. Williamson c Shafiq b Az. Ali 61
H. Nicholls not out 0
Extras (nb-2) 2
Total (for 2 wickets, 31.3 overs) 108
Fall of wickets: 1-19 T. Latham,2-104 K. Williamson
Did not bat: R. Taylor, C. de Grandhomme, B. Watling, T. Southee, T. Astle, N. Wagner, T. Boult
Bowling: M. Amir 7 – 2 – 12 – 1(nb-2),
So. Khan 6 – 1 – 21 – 0, R. Ali 6 – 0 – 24 – 0,
Y. Shah 9.3 – 1 – 45 – 0, Az. Ali 3 – 1 – 6 – 1.