Abu Dhabi: Skipper Kane Williamson hit a century to help steer New Zealand to 299-5 in the fourth day-night international against Pakistan here on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old right-hander scored 123 off 105 balls while opener Martin Guptill made 58 after New Zealand won the toss and batted on a conducive batting strip at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Williamson added 44 for the second wicket with Guptill and another 63 for the third with Ross Taylor, who made 26 to raise hopes of a series-levelling win.
Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1 after winning the first and third games. Williamson, who scored an unbeaten 70 in New Zealand’s four-wicket win in the second match in Sharjah, pulled paceman Mohammad Irfan to deep square-leg for his ninth boundary to complete the three-figure mark off just 92 balls.
He was finally bowled by Irfan off the last delivery of the innings, hitting 12 boundaries and adding another 72 for the fifth wicket with Tom Latham (14 not out). Williamson’s hundred was built on a fine start to the innings. New Zealand made three changes, leaving out Neesham, McCullum and Anton Devcich for Daniel Vettori, Brownlie and Adam Milne. (AFP)