Twitter Reactions: Debutant Colin de Grandhomme steamrolls Pakistan

Debutant Colin de Grandhomme claimed 6/41, the best figures by a New Zealander on debut, to ensure a grand start for the hosts against Pakistan on day two of the opening Test at Hagley Oval. Kane Williamson’s decision to bowl first on the green turf proved to be a perfect one as the right fast medium bowler ran through the entire Pakistan batting order to fold them up for a mere 133 runs. Jeet Raval (55 not out) also shined, stroking a half century on debut as he and Henry Nicholls (29 not out) helped New Zealand through to 104-3 at stumps in reply.

The New Zealanders had to wait for a good 12.3 overs before they got the first wicket in the form of Azhar Ali who became De Grandhomme’s maiden Test wicket. But, once the breakthrough was found, De Grandhomme blew away the top order completely. He later added Babar Azam, Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq. Sohail Khan became his fifth victim. And, he then nicked out the last man Rahat Ali for a duck to break Alex Moir’s 65-year-old record.

Captain Misbah ul-Haq’s 31 from 108 balls was the only innings of substance by a Pakistani player. The Black Caps made a shaky start when they started their reply after tea, losing opener Latham (1), Williamson (4) and Taylor (11) cheaply. But Raval and Henry Nicholls steadied the ship with an unbeaten 64-run partnership and helped their team end the day on a pretty comfortable note.

Twitter was absolutely overwhelmed by New Zealand’s performance and there was a huge reaction Here are some the best tweets which totally describes the scenes which occurred at the Hagley Oval.

https://twitter.com/AltCricket/status/799398407240437760

Ah, I love these matches in New Zealand.
Always finish in 3 days.
Like a WinZip of a test!#NZvPAK

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) November 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/rahul_dravid19/status/799461086663733248

Three catches in an innings for Jeet Raval. No New Zealander has taken more than three on Test debut. Can he be the first? #NZvPak

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 18, 2016

Could Colin de Grandhomme be the most humble history maker we've seen in a while? Or a man of fewer words? Awesome Mr deG!! #NZvPAK

— nicole bremner (@nicole_bremner) November 18, 2016

Gujrat-born openers are the flavour of the season. Pity India doesn't have any. #INDvENG #NZvPAK

— SK (@NayakNahi) November 18, 2016

Most runs on debut by NZ batsman,
Rutherford 171,
Neesham 170,
Ronchi 119,
Santner 76,
Nicholls 67,
Raval 55* (bating) #NZvPAK #PAKvNZ

— Rao. (@ImRaoYasir) November 18, 2016

This New Zeleand tour is real test for Pakistan & Pak has to prove that they are the best test team #NZvPAK

— Sharjeel (@ghumrosaad) November 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/799490883209101312

Grandhomme's 6/41 is the 2nd best bowling figures on test debut against Pakistan. The best being Kyle Abbott's 7/29. #NZvPAK #CricketStats

— Shahzad Tirmizi Syed (@shahzadtirmizi) November 18, 2016

Lack of practice matches in NZ will be the reason if Pakistan lose this one. #NZvPAK

— Talmeez (@Talmeez92) November 18, 2016

What were our batsman smoking ? So many drives, without even having a practice game before ? #NZvPak

— Arsalan (@ArsalanAbbas_) November 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/taimoorz1/status/799488772035506180

https://twitter.com/nibrazramzan/status/799486102218375173

Best figures on Test debut vs Pak:

7/29 Kyle Abbott, Centurion, 2012-13
6/41 Colin de Grandhomme, Christchurch, 2016-17#NZvsPak

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 18, 2016

Colin de Grandhomme's 6 for 41 – best by a NZ bowler on Test debut. Prev best: 6 for 115 by Alex Moir v Eng, Christchurch, 1951. #NZvsPak

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 18, 2016

Day for debutants in Christchurch, I see. Colin de Grandhomme and Jeet Raval propping up NZ with ball and bat. Mustachioed both. #NZvPAK

— Jamie Alter (@jamie_alterTOI) November 18, 2016

Colin de Grandhomme

*has taken 2 of his 3 wkts with half-volleys
*has bowled 10 half-volleys in all
*they've been hit for 8 runs#NZvPAK

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 18, 2016

de Grandhomme with that moustache and haircut looks like a burley-old version of the great Richard Hadlee! 🙂#NZvPAK #NZvsPAK

— St. Aubrun (@st_aubrun) November 18, 2016