Towering paceman Kyle Jamieson completed an 11-wicket match haul on Wednesday as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan in the second Test to become the world's top-ranked team.
Jamieson was near unplayable in Pakistan's second innings, finishing with 6-48 after his 5-69 in the first innings, to give New Zealand a comprehensive victory by an innings and 176 runs.
The win inside four days in Christchurch, which completed a 2-0 series sweep, also confirmed New Zealand had overtaken Australia to be the world's No 1 Test side for the first time.
"It's hard to beat really," said victorious captain Kane Williamson, whose double century set up the win. "Kyle is a special cricketer. His contributions since he came on to the international scene have been immense and gone a long way to take this team forward and complement that bowling attack that's been performing for such a long time."
New Zealand batted Pakistan out of contention with a first innings 659-6, with Williamson's masterful 238 supported by Henry Nicholls (157) and Daryl Mitchell (102 not out).
But there was still a chance Pakistan could force a draw until Jamieson took the ball. "The most impressive thing is his attitude, his ability to run in and hit the wicket hard for long spells," Williamson said.
In his sixth Test after making his debut against India 10 months ago, Jamieson has taken 36 wickets at a stunning 13.27 average and with four five-wicket hauls to his credit. But he said he's far from being the finished product.
"I'm a long way off the cricketer that I want to be," he said after his man-of-the match performance, adding that he will continue learning from the Black Caps' more experienced bowlers in Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Matt Henry.
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— ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2021
Victory over Pakistan has sent Kane Williamson's side to the đ of the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings!
They have achieved the feat for the first time in rankings history đ pic.twitter.com/8lKm6HebtO
"I'm 12 months into my international career and it's a long process and hopefully I've got another nine-10 years in this group and if that happens I've got more to come.
"We've got the four-prong attack and I consider myself very much the fourth prong. I just try and sit back and learn what these world class guys have done for many years."
Pakistan captain Mohammed Rizwan was disappointed with his side's fielding and multiple dropped catches. But he said their biggest problem was Jamieson.
"He's the only difference between both teams. The conditions were fair to bowlers but the way he bowled he took too many wickets in the series," Rizwan said.
"We need to improve in all departments, especially in fielding. If you drop catches you can't win a Test match."
