Gul strikes early for Pakistan

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WELLINGTON: Umar Gul struck twice for Pakistan to leave New Zealand at 80 for two at lunch in blustery conditions on the first day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve Saturday.

If not for the vagaries of umpiring, and the absence of the umpire referral system for this Test, New Zealand could well be three down after winning the toss and electing to bat.

After being humiliated in the first Test, which was all over on the third day following New Zealand's second innings collapse, coach John Wright and captain Daniel Vettori called for a more disciplined approach.

But the match was only six balls old when Brendon McCullum was out for two, trapped lbw by Umar Gul when he failed to play a shot to a delivery that pitched outside the offstump and was clearly swinging in.

Although TV replays showed McCullum was unlucky, and the ball could have gone over the stumps, fortune favoured New Zealand in Gul's next over which Martin Guptill appeared to edge the ball to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal.

With the wind blowing strongly, umpire Daryl Harper did not hear a nick and gave Guptill the benefit of the doubt.

But Harper was in no doubt at the start of Gul's seventh over when Kane Williamson was caught behind for 21 trying to fend off a rising ball off the back foot.

Guptill, who batted throughout the session, was not out 24 with Ross Taylor also unbeaten on 24.

Gul had figures of two for 21 off eight overs.