Pakistan rebuild after losing quick wickets

HAMILTON: Pakistan succumbed to the same batting woes that hampered New Zealand as they stumbled to 136 for four in their first innings at tea on the second day of the first Test on Saturday.

They trail New Zealand's first innings 275 by 139 runs with Misbah-ul-Haq on seven and Asad Shafiq on 24 working to rebuild.

Pakistan made a bright start when Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali recovered from the opening over setback, after Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed without a run on the board, and had raced to 72 by the 22nd over.

They were seldom troubled as they knocked New Zealand fast bowlers Chris Martin and Brent Arnel out of the attack before lunch.

But the initiative changed in the sixth over after lunch when Chris Martin, who had been punished for bowling full, dropped one short which Ali edged to wicketkeeper Reece Young and was gone for 24.

Umar continued to plunder the boundaries and had reached 54, including 11 fours, when he played an undisciplined flick to a full delivery from Brent Arnel and was caught at mid-wicket by Kane Williamson.

Younis Khan had five fours in his 23 when he attempted a similar shot to Umar and sent a leading edge back to the bowler to give Arnel his second wicket.

Earlier, New Zealand's first innings came to a quick end on the second morning when they lost their last three wickets for the addition of only 15 runs.

Tim Southee did not add to his overnight 56 when he was out on the third ball of the day, caught in the slips by Younis Khan when fending off a rising ball from Umar Gul.

The catch ended an 84-run stand with Kane Williamson, New Zealand's most productive partnership.

Williamson had just reached his 50 when he followed Southee back to the pavilion after he skied an attempt to hook Tanvir Ahmed and was caught by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal.

Ahmed ended the innings when he had Brent Arnel caught at mid-on by Wahab Riaz, leaving him with figures of four for 63.

Abdur Rehman, whose left-arm spin tied up New Zealand on the first day, was not required on the second morning and was unable to add to his overnight figures of three for 51.

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