NZ vs Pakistan - Day 2

New Zealand has seized control on Day 2 of the 1st test against Pakistan thanks to superb centuries from Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori.

Starting the day at 295/6 Pakistan would have been hoping to get through the New Zealand lower order quickly and have them dismissed for under 350 but this didn't occur with some superb New Zealand batting during the day.

Pakistan tasted early success though having Robbie Hart caught at short leg off Shabbir Ahmed for 10. This brought Vettori to the crease and with Fleming they hit the Pakistan bowlers to all corners of the ground in a breath taking partnership of 125 off only 28 overs. Fleming was the man dismissed for his best ever score at home of 192 in 479 minutes, 332 balls which included 31 boundaries.

Even after Fleming was dismissed Daryl Tuffey showed his increasing ability with the bat in making 35 in a 99 run stand with Daniel Vettori.

New Zealand were finally dismissed for 563 with Vettori finished on 137 not out off 170 balls which included 23 boundaries and one six.

Shabbir Ahmed was clearly the pick of the bowlers taking 5-117 off 43.2 overs. The other wicket takers were Danish Kaneria with 2-112 and Umar Gul with 2-118.

Pakistan had 28 overs to get through before the close of play and started at a run a ball with Farhat and Umar being especially severe on Ian Butler with him having figures of 3 overs for 29 runs in his first spell.

Jacob Oram was introduced in the 7th over and tasted immediate success having Farhat caught behind for 20. A couple of overs later saw Umar miss time a hook shot off Tuffey and be caught at mid on by Butler for 27.

Hameed and Youhana then saw Pakistan through to stumps at 118-2 with Pakistan still needing another 245 runs to avoid the follow on.

Score Summary

New Zealand 463 (S Fleming 192, D Vettori 137*, M Richardson 44, Daryl Tuffey 35, Shabbir Ahmed 5/117, Danish Kaneria 2/112, Umar Gul 2/118)

Pakistan 118/2 (Yasir Hameed 36*, J Oram 1/18, D Tuffey 1/26)

Posted by James