Pakistan graft to strong position against NZ

HAMILTON, New Zealand, (Reuters) – Captain   Misbah-ul-haq and Asad Sahfiq ground out an unbroken 128-run   partnership to resurrect Pakistan’s first innings and guide   them to 235 for four at the close of play of the second day of   the first test against New Zealand today.
Misbah built a slow and watchful 50 off 129 balls, while   the 24-year-old Shafiq was on 74, his highest test score after   he made 61 on debut against South Africa last November, to put   Pakistan in a strong position heading into day three.
New Zealand, courtesy of a sustained period of pressure   from Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee, had captured three   wickets in the middle session to leave Pakistan struggling at   107 for four at a sun-drenched Seddon Park.
Misbah and Shafiq, however mindful another wicket would   expose the lower order to a fired-up New Zealand bowling   attack, wore down the tiring New Zealanders, patiently waiting   until they got a bad ball to hit.
“Misbah and Asad both played brilliantly and because of   that we are in the driving seat right now,” said opener   Taufeeq Umar, who scored a quick-fire 54. “Our first target is   above 275 and then let’s see.
“If Misbah and Asad keep playing like this we are looking   for about a 100-run lead.”
The hosts, who were bowled out for 275 early on Saturday,   initially failed to capitalise on a perfect start when   Mohammad Hafeez was caught low down by Tim McIntosh at second   slip off Chris Martin in the first over of Pakistan’s innings.
The bowlers, however, were subsequently too loose,   surrendering too many boundaries as Pakistan romped to 67 for   one by lunch with Taufeeq on a breezy 42 not out.
However, after the lunch break the New Zealand bowlers   tightened up to snare Taufeeq, Azhar Ali (24) and the valuable   wicket of Younus Khan for a quickfire 23 from 24 balls.
“Bear in mind there are plans there, the ball was tailing   in a wee bit and we were trying to get them to work the   straight ones and trying to get an lbw,” pace bowler Brent   Arnel said.
“Sometimes your plans can backfire in cricket and it looks   like you have bowled a bad ball and they get away with it, but   sometimes it can create a great reward for us.”