MOUNT MAUNGANUI, Dec 27: Kane Williamson�s tireless quest for runs continued on Sunday as he batted New Zealand into a commanding position on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan. Williamson made 129, his 23rd Test hundred, and shared century partnerships with Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls as New Zealand made 431 batting first after losing the toss.
At stumps Pakistan were 30-1 after 20 overs with Abid Ali 19 not out and nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas 0. Shan Masood was out for 10 just before stumps, caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper BJ Watling from the bowling of Kyle Jamieson. In his last 10 Tests in New Zealand Williamson has made two double centuries, Sunday�s century and three half-centuries. His solidity has been central to New Zealand�s recent rise to join Australia on 116 points atop the official world Test rankings. Williamson�s toughness, his concentration and technical excellence were evident again in his performance on the first two days of the current match in perhaps the toughest conditions New Zealand has faced so far this summer.
Brief scores: New Zealand 431 (K Williamson 129, BJ Watling 73, R Taylor 70, H Nicholls 56; S Afridi 4/109, Y Shah 3/113). Pakistan 30/1. � AP
