New Zealand XI tighten screws on Pakistan

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AUCKLAND: The New Zealand XI continued to keep the pressure on Pakistan in a warm-up match before the first Test, reducing the tourists to 234-8 at the close of the second day.

With both sides fielding near Test-strength sides, Pakistan trail New Zealand by 150 with two wickets in hand and one day remaining.

New Zealand were dismissed early in the day for 384 built on the back of a pugnacious 206 by Brendon McCullum and then Chris Martin swiftly removed the Pakistan top order.

Martin dismissed Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar and Younis Khan to have Pakistan at 22-3 before Misbah-ul-Haq led the fightback.

Misbah was unbeaten on 99 at the close of play, with Martin on three for 52 and Daniel Vettori three for 26.

The match ends Tuesday and the the first Test starts in Hamilton on Thursday.