Rehman gives Pakistan advantage in first test

HAMILTON, New Zealand, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Abdul   Rehman produced a sustained, tight spell of left-arm spin   bowling to take three wickets for 51 runs as New Zealand   scrambled to 260 for seven at the close of play on the first   day of the first test at Seddon Park today.
Kane Williamson was on 44 while pace bowler Tim Southee   was on 56, his second test half century, after the hosts had   appeared to be in control on 78-1 at lunch only for Pakistan   to seize the advantage in the middle session.
Williamson, the last recognised batsmen, and Southee   combined for an unbroken 83-run eighth-wicket partnership to   at least give New Zealand some respectability at stumps though   they would be disappointed after a promising start was   squandered.
Rehman, who was introduced for one over in the first   session, bowled five successive maidens after the lunch break   and 29 overs unchanged before the second new ball was taken,   tying down the normally free-flowing New Zealand batsmen.
“I expected (to be bowling on the first day) because the   pitch looked quite flat and I prepared in my mind to bowl 20   to 30 overs,” Rehman told reporters.
“Spin on the first day is good for spinners and good for   me as well. It will definitely spin on day three and day four.”
New Zealand lost four wickets after lunch and the   visitors’ momentum continued after tea when debutant   wicketkeeper Reece Young was harshly adjudged lbw for 14 off   Rehman, though television replays suggested the ball was   missing the stumps.
Captain Daniel Vettori’s dismissal, however, was more   definitive when he trapped by a full delivery from Tanvir   Ahmed for a two-ball duck.
Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill had provided New   Zealand with a promising start when they steered them to 78   for one at lunch after Tim McIntosh was caught for five by   Younus Khan at second slip off Tanvir in only the second over.
Rehman then perfectly executed his side’s bowling plan   against the aggressive New Zealand batsmen by not allowing   them to turn over the strike and restricting their scoring   options.
McCullum, who had looked set for a big score, slashed at a   short, wide, Umar Gul delivery and was caught by Azhar Ali for   56 at deep backward point, while Taylor, who never looked   comfortable, followed shortly after for six when he got a thin   edge through to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off Rehman.
Guptill and Ryder attempted to rebuild the innings but   just as they looked like they were ready to capitalise after a   watchful 36-run partnership, Ryder was unlucky to be run out   for 22 when Wahab Riaz deflected a well-timed straight drive   on to the stumps with the batsmen well down the pitch.
Guptill then brought up his fifth test half century with a   single but threw his wicket away when he hit a Rehman full   toss to Misbah-ul-haq at mid-off for 50.
“To put on 80 with Brendon was great but we lost our way   after lunch with a few wickets, it’s just the way cricket   goes,” Guptill said.
“We’ve got to go out tomorrow and try and get as many runs   as we can, and try our best to bowl them out.”