New Zealand beat Pakistan by 101 runs on Wednesday after a thrilling finish to the first Test in Mount Maunganui, where the visitors were just 27 balls from pulling off a battling draw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tail-enders Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah blocked for seven overs in fading light before Naseem was caught and bowled by spinner Mitchell Santner for one, ending Pakistan's resistance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The end for Pakistan had begun when Kyle Jamieson, celebrating his 26th birthday, broke the 165-run fifth-wicket stand by Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The victory was crucial for New Zealand, who need to sweep the two-Test series to have a chance of making the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Once Jamieson claimed the crucial wicket of Rizwan, lbw for 60, Neil Wagner -- bowling despite breaking two toes while batting -- removed Alam for 102 and New Zealand were into the tail as Pakistan folded from 240 for four to be all out for 271.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jamieson produced a particularly miserly spell after the tea break when he sent down nine overs and took two for four.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Apart from when Pakistan whipped out the New Zealand openers cheaply on day one, the match had been in New Zealand's control until Rizwan, the stand-in skipper, joined Alam in the middle with Pakistan 75 for four on the final morning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand required six more wickets, Pakistan needed 298 runs and more than 78 overs remained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
By tea, Alam and Rizwan were still together, Pakistan had narrowed the target to 158 in 36 overs and New Zealand still needed six wickets. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Jamieson removed Rizwan 11 overs into the final session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jamieson had gone close several times previously, and even his lbw shout against Rizwan was turned down before the umpire's decision was overturned on review.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alam, who had occupied the crease with Rizwan for more than 63 overs, lasted three more overs until he gloved a Wagner short ball to wicketkeeper BJ Watling down the leg side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alam had been discarded by Pakistan in 2009 after three Tests and a best innings of 168, and since his recall this year his highest score was 21 against England in August. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
There were a few loose shots early in his innings and a nerve-wracking moment when a ball ricocheted off his arm and bounced dangerously close to the stumps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Otherwise, he staunchly held his own through 269 deliveries before bringing up his century with a four off Wagner, but scored only two more runs off his next 33 balls before his dismissal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand's frontline pace bowlers Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Wagner, Jamieson and Santner each took two wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n