'Still feels like a dream' – Will Somerville on his debut

New Zealand last won an overseas series against Pakistan all the way back in 1969. Almost fifty years later, they repeated the feat, winning the deciding third Test by a comfortable 123 runs on the fifth day. At the heart of the series-clinching victory was 34-year-old debutant Somerville.

Somerville first made his presence felt with a gritty knock of 12 from 99 balls in New Zealand's first innings to aid BJ Watling in extending the total. Then with the ball, he wreaked havoc, taking 4/75 to initiate a Pakistan collapse to 348 all out from 286/3. Then in the second innings, he took 3/52, getting the important wickets of Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.

"Pretty incredible, I was extremely emotional coming off the field, realising that we've won the fixture," said Somerville. "And obviously, nice to be contributing with bat and ball slightly. It still feels like a dream, I'm pinching myself. I'm incredibly proud to have won for the Black Caps and we are all very happy in the dressing room.

"I felt like I'm ready to play, but you never expect to do what I did, and it's nice to be involved. Kane (Williamson, the captain) gave me trust with the ball, and I trusted myself to do what I did. But the fact that it actually happened, it's a buzzy feeling."

Somerville added that New Zealand were aware of the possibility of achieving a rare series win, and said that the experience of doing it will remain a fond memory.

"It's very, very special, something we'll never forget," he said. "An incredible feeling to win over here. Not many teams have done it and the Black Caps haven't won away against Pakistan since 1969. That's something we talked about before this game, and we got it done. It's amazing."