Misbah in doubt for second test after father-in-law falls ill

New Zealand have snapped their four-Test losing streak in comprehensive fashion, easing to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Christchurch.

New Zealand inched towards victory in the first test against Pakistan on Sunday as captain Kane Williamson and debutant opener Jeet Raval pushed the hosts to 58 for one at lunch, leaving them 47 runs shy of their target.

Victory, completed inside eight sessions, will be a relief for Williamson and his team, who have endured a hard year.

It was a much-needed confidence boost for the home side, coming off a 3-0 series whitewash in India and a comprehensive 204-run loss to South Africa.

“On the first day (when 13 wickets fell) sure it seamed but a pitch which had pace and bounce, if you have no seam movement can still create opportunity”, Hesson said.

Tim Southee (1-43) tempted Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq into an injudicious hook to fine leg, while first innings hero Colin de Grandhomme (1-23) removed Sami Aslam in the only dismissal before tea.

He said it would give them vast confidence ahead of the second and final test in Hamilton, starting on Friday, where Pakistan will be without veteran skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who has flown home after the death of his father-in-law.

His fifth wicked scalp was Sohail Khan who went for 9 then de Grandhomme finished off the Pakistan innings at 133 and claimed 6-41 – the best figures by a NZer on test debut!

Boult had three for 18 off 15 overs while Wagner, who started the wicket spree, had two for 21.

Jeet Raval, making his New Zealand debut, followed with a boundary from Yasir Shah in the 32nd over to post the winning runs and finish 36 not out.

Despite Mohammad Amir and the rest of the Pakistan pacers bending their back, the New Zealand batsmen looked in good form to see off the new ball, and cruise towards the victory.

“Younis will be a very crucial player in the second test and he should play at his number”, he said.

The second test in the two-match series begins in Hamilton on November 25.

Pakistan’s seamers have returned fire on New Zealand, turning the first Test in Christchurch into a low-scoring scrap.