NZ seal series sweep against Pak with innings win in 2nd Test

Christchurch, Jan 6 (IANS) New Zealand on Wednesday registered a dominant win by an innings and 176 runs against Pakistan in the second and final Test at the Hagley Oval.

Spearheaded by new sensation and Player of the Match Kyle Jamieson, who took 6/48 in Pakistan's second innings to returned with brilliant match figures of 11/117, the Black Caps cruised to victory inside four days to sweep the two-Test series and reach the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for the very first time.

Resuming their second innings at 8/1 on Day Four, Pakistan had no answer against the New Zealand pacers, in particular Jamieson as they bundled out for mere 186.

None of the Pakistani batters crossed the 50-run mark, with Azhar Ali and Zafar Gohar top scoring with 37 each. Apart from Jamieson, Trent Boult also picked three wickets while skipper Kane Williamson also tried his hands at bowling and picked the wicket of Shaheen Afridi.

Jamieson, who has just played six Test and hasn't played away from home yet, has already taken 36 wickets (including four five-wicket bags) at a remarkable average of 13.28.

Earlier, in reply to Pakistan's first innings effort of 297 on Day One, the hosts had piled on 659/6 declared in their only innings -- highlighted by a Williamson masterclass of 238 and supporting roles by Henry Nicholls (157) and Daryl Mitchell (102 not out).

New Zealand had won the first Test by 101 runs at the Bay Oval.

The Black Caps have now kept hopes alive of reaching the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final scheduled for June, as they won all Tests (four) in a multi-tour home summer for the first time, won a national record sixth consecutive Test match, and extended their unbeaten run in home Tests to 17.

Pakistan will next face South Africa at home in two Tests and three T20Is between January 26 and February 14 while New Zealand will take on Australia in a five-match T20I series beginning February 22.

Brief scores: Pakistan 297 and 186 all out(Azhar Ali 37, Zafar Gohar 37; Kyle Jamieson 6/48) lose to New Zealand 659/6 dec by an innings and 176 runs.