Rehman double strike slows New Zealand

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WELLINGTON: Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman struck twice in the afternoon session as Pakistan slowed New Zealand's bid to build a big lead on the fourth day of the second Test on Tuesday

New Zealand went into the break at 181-3 in their second innings, with Ross Taylor on 4 and Jesse Ryder on 11, giving the Black Caps a 161-run lead.

Rehman broke a 120-run opening stand between Brendon McCullum (64) and Martin Guptill (73), with Pakistan claiming three wickets for 46 as the Black Caps chased quick runs to force a result to level the two-Test series.

The spinner tempted McCullum to try to drive him out of the ground shortly after lunch, with the batsman mistiming his shot and sending the ball to Tanvir Ahmed at long off.

He later trapped Guptill lbw to lift his figures to two for 65 off 25 overs.

It was the first time a New Zealand opening stand has reached 50 in the series.

It was also only the second time since 2004 that a Black Caps' opening pair has made 100, an encouraging sign for coach John Wright as he seeks to improve New Zealand's brittle top order following his appointment in December.

Tanvir Ahmed also claimed his first wicket of the innings as Pakistan bounced back from a frustrating morning session when Kane Williamson (15) edged to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal on 15.