New Zealand complete Test series sweep over Pakistan with crushing win

Kyle Jamieson took his second five-wicket haul of the match as New Zealand beat Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in the second Test on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0 and ensure they would top the world rankings for the first time.

The young paceman took 6/48 to add to his 5/69 from the first innings as the Black Caps dismissed the tourists for 186 to seal an eighth straight home Test series triumph with victory inside four days at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.

Although he is the junior member of a pace attack headed by higher-ranked veterans Tim Southee and Trent Boult, the 26-year-old Jamieson has rapidly advanced to playing a senior role.

When Pakistan resumed the day at one down for eight, and needing to bat for the better part of two days to salvage a draw, Boult took the first wicket when he had nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas out for three in the fifth over.

Since then it has been all about Jamieson, who removed Abid Ali for 26 to go with his dismissal of Shan Masood the previous evening and Pakistan were 69 for three at lunch.

In a potent middle session, Jamieson had Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali caught behind, and bowled Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan to have the tourists at 98 for six.

Sohail did not get his feet moving as he poked at a rising delivery on 15, the best score on what has been a disappointing tour for the left-hander.

Azhar had attempted to take the fight back to Jamieson, moving into a short delivery and pulling it through mid-on for four as he advanced to 37.

The boundary clearly irked the giant and in his following over, without Azhar adding a further run, Jamieson made a ball rear up towards the ribs and it was gloved to the wicketkeeper.

Rizwan was bowled for 10 by a full delivery as Jamieson worked through his variations to produce an inswinger that zipped between bat and pad.

Debutant Zafar Gohar scored 37 and showed some resistance, lower down the order, but this was not enough as Pakistan innings folded on 186.

Faheem Ashraf scored 28 runs while Fawad Alam could only notch up 10 runs.

Trent Boult also claimed three wickets in the innings.

The victory also pushed the Black Caps firmly into contention for one of two berths in June’s inaugural World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

As much as Jamieson’s fine bowling, the win was built on the magnificent 238 skipper Kane Williamson scored in New Zealand’s only innings, which enabled the hosts to declare on 659/6.