Kane Williamson guides New Zealand to win over Pakistan in first Test

Raval, 28, was included in New Zealand’s squad for their tour of Africa in August, didn’t play a Test and was dropped for the subsequent series in India.

The win in New Zealand’s ninth in 54 tests against Pakistan, and sixth on home soil, the first since Dunedin in 2009.

Pakistan tried to grind in their second innings but, while that worked in periods, they were punished late in the day.

“We’ve been out-played so far”, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said, but he refused to concede defeat saying they would not need many more runs to set up a tight finish.

“If you come to this part of the world, you do expect that”, Azhar said. “Hopefully things turn out well”.

New Zealand’s domestic cricket scene has its critics yet it has produced a duo who were arguably the Black Caps’ best players in the eight-wicket win over Pakistan. Sohail Khan posted a Test-best 40 as he and Asad Shafiq showed resistance at the start of the day.

In addition to de Grandhomme’s 6-41 off 15.5 overs, Southee took two for 20 while Boult had figures of two for 39.

Mohammad Amir kept Pakistan’s hopes alive when he dismissed Tom Latham for 9 in the ninth over, leaving New Zealand 19-1.

Amir continued his tight bowling from day two, forcing Raval into a shot, which fell to Sami Azlam at first slip.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has already named Azhar Ali to lead Pakistan in the second test, which starts on Friday at Hamilton’s Seddon Park.

Williamson said the patience of his bowlers was crucial in clinching the emphatic victory.

New Zealand’s other debutant, Colin de Grandhomme, had also been in the selectors’ sights for years.

“Our bowling effort in the second innings”, Williamson told reporters in Christchurch on Sunday as to what he had been most impressed by in the match. We’ve got to enjoy the last three days which have been an incredibly good performance. Led by Colin de Grandhomme, who was a self-professed batsman more than a bowler, returned 7 for 64.

Debutant Jeet Raval (55) top scored for New Zealand, while Rahat Ali (4-62) was the main destroyer for the tourists.

“It’s a great feeling”, Wagner said. “I just tried to put it in the areas I wanted to bowl and they managed to do their bit so it’s all good”. He stuck to his game plan – he’s very disciplined and knows what that is.

“Naturally, it’s tough coming off the back of a few losses, but it’s nice to be back at home”.