20 Nov 2018

Records tumble in Black Caps test win over Pakistan

10:04 am on 20 November 2018

The New Zealand cricketers have recorded their closest win in Test history, beating Pakistan by four runs on day four of the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel

Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel. Photo: Photosport

Chasing 176 to win, Pakistan needed just 41 runs with six wickets in hand before collapsing.

New Zealand debutant Ajaz Patel recorded figures of 5-59 as Pakistan were bowled out for 171.

Check out how the match unfolded here.

It's the closest margin of victory for New Zealand, the closest margin of victory by runs by any team in a Test for 13 years and the fifth-smallest in Test history.

The last time a Test match was won by a smaller margin was when England beat Australia by two runs in the second Test of the 2005 Ashes series.

Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel.

Ajaz Patel appeals for a wicket. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The closest finish was when the West Indies beat Australia by just a single run in 1993.

The only other time New Zealand has defended less than 200 before today was against England in Wellington in 1977-78 when they bowled England out for 64 in a chase of 137.

Pakistan, who play their 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates, started the day on 37-0 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

However, Patel removed opener Imam-ul-Haq and fellow spinner Ish Sodhi struck twice to take the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail as Pakistan lost three batsmen in eight balls to find themselves in trouble at 48-3.

Azhar Ali (65), put on an 82-run stand with Asad Shafiq (45) to keep Pakistan's hopes alive but - after the previous three batsmen went for ducks - he was the last man out when he was trapped lbw by Patel.

"It's a great advertisement for Test cricket. In the end, it came down to the wire," said New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson. "The attitude, certainly today and throughout the game, was brilliant."

The second Test of the three-match series takes place from November 24-28 in Dubai.