New Zealand v Pakistan, 2016-17

Test matches (2): New Zealand 2, Pakistan 0
Three days before the series, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck about 70 miles north of Christchurch, killing two people. Aftershocks forced the abandonment of the Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Central Districts at the Basin Reserve. The Pakistan team were traumatised. "We had just finished watching the India-England match," said Wasim Bari, the team manager. "The doors and windows were going from one side to another as if they were made of paper."

Their three-day practice match at Nelson a few days earlier had also been a washout. Pakistan had not lost any of their previous seven series, going back to August 2014, but their preparation here could hardly have been worse. The troubles continued: after they lost the First Test by a distance, captain Misbah-ul-Haq left the tour because of the death of his father-in-law.

He later learned he would not have been able to play at Hamilton anyway: Pakistan's slow over-rate at Christchurch, his 50th Test as captain, had earned him a second warning (after the Oval Test in August) and a one match ban. New Zealand had their own uncertainties. They had suffered four consecutive Test losses in South Africa and India, so needed freshening up. Opener Jeet Raval and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme made their Test debuts, while leg-spinner Todd Astle reappeared after a four-year hiatus (if only as cover for Mitchell Santner, who returned for the Second Test).

Born in Zimbabwe, the 30-year-old de Grandhomme - who moved to New Zealand in 2006 - was a surprise selection in the squad, let alone the playing XI; many had assumed he was merely back-up for Jimmy Neesham. But he was in form. He had made 144 not out to help Auckland beat Otago in October and, when he was selected, averaged 54 for the domestic first class season. He had also enjoyed bowling success in 2015-16, when his disciplined medium-pace earned him 17 wickets at 25, and the nickname "De Groundhog". Raval, meanwhile, seemed the logical answer at the top of the order. Martin Guptill had struggled in India in October, and Raval had been quietly making his case in first-class cricket, averaging over 40 in seven of the previous eight seasons.

Contrasting wins, dictated by the first session at Christchurch and the last session at Hamilton, secured New Zealand's first series victory over Pakistan in 31 years. At Christchurch, winning the toss enabled their seamers to exploit a grassy wicket that had spent the first day sweating under the covers. Play eventually began on the second morning; by tea, Pakistan were all out. At Hamilton, all three results were available come the last evening, but a draw seemed most likely. Then, in a thrilling denouement, Pakistan collapsed with 8.5 overs remaining as New Zealand - and the light - closed in.

Match reports for

Tour Match: New Zealand A v Pakistanis at Nelson, Nov 11-13, 2016
Scorecard

1st Test: New Zealand v Pakistan at Christchurch, Nov 17-20, 2016
Report | Scorecard

2nd Test: New Zealand v Pakistan at Hamilton, Nov 25-29, 2016
Report | Scorecard