New Zealand strike early against Pakistan

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WELLINGTON: Pakistan suffered a controversial early blow as they mounted their response to New Zealand's first innings 356 on the second day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

At tea, Pakistan were 34 for one with Mohammad Hafeez (one) given out caught behind by wicketkeeper Reece Young off Tim Southee in the second over.

But it was not clear from television replays whether the audible nick was bat on ball or bat on pad.

Taufeeq Umar on 17 and Azhar Ali on 16 cautiously held their own without incident through to the break as Pakistan looked to secure the two-Test series after easily wrapping up the first Test inside three days.

New Zealand, seeking a more committed batting effort in the second Test, were in trouble again at 180 for six before captain Daniel Vettori brought a level of respectability to the score with his sixth Test century.

Vettori, who put on 138 with Reece Young (57) for the seventh wicket, was the last man out for 110, compiled in nearly four hours at the crease and including 10 fours and a six.

There were nerve-wracking moments towards the end for Vettori, who was on 96 when New Zealand's last batsman Chris Martin joined him in the middle.

Martin is recognised as one of the worst batsmen in Test cricket and he received a huge ovation from the crowd for each ball he survived as Vettori worked his way to three figures, bringing up his century with a single to fine leg.

New Zealand had resumed the second day at 246 for six and reached 318 before Young was dismissed just before lunch, caught behind by Adnan Akmal off Tanvir Ahmed, while Tim Southee (one) and Brent Arnel (one) fell soon after the break.

Paceman Umar Gul finished with the best figures for Pakistan, four for 87 from 32 overs, while Tanvir took three for 93 from 25.

Left arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who had the difficult task of bowling a marathon spell into the strong northerly wind, ended with two for 96 from 45.1 overs.

Wicketkeeper Akmal took six catches in the innings, one short of the world record.