Napier, December 11: Imran Farhat’s fighting century was the only silver lining for Pakistan as New Zealand’s pacers ripped through Pakistan’s batting to dismiss them for 223 on the opening day of the third Test at McLean Park, Napier, on Friday.
Pakistan, who were reduced to 59 for five at one stage, but Farhat’s ton and some gutsy batting from the lower order put the score passed the 200 mark.
At stumps, New Zealand were 47 for no loss.
Farhat, playing his 30th Test, brought up his hundred off 135 deliveries shortly before tea. He carried his bat through the innings, finishing unbeaten on 117 from 169 deliveries.
Pakistan who won the toss and elected to bat on a flat pitch, succumbed to the pace battery of Ian O’Brien (4/35) and Daryl Tuffey (4/52).
New Zealand’s opening bowlers bowled a nagging line and length. Tim Southee, celebrating his 21st birthday, drew first blood with the early wicket of Salman Butt, who left a gap between bat and pad and had his middle stump disturbed.
O’Brien then had Faisal Iqbal fending at a delivery outside off-stump to give the slip cordon an easy catch.
Skipper Mohammad Yousuf was tied down with disciplined lines and lengths, but eventually succumbed to the extra bounce, edging the ball to second slip.
A 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket between pace bowler Mohammad Aamer and Frahat revived the flagging innings.
Farhat, who had a previous best of 35 in the series, displayed the same risky tendencies as his team-mates but was fortunate that his top edges and slogs fell safely.
Aamer compiled a composed 23 from 82 balls, his resistance ending when Brendon McCullum’s second catch gave Daryl Tuffey his first wicket.
Farhat had Umar Gul (13) for company as Pakistan got past 200.
In the 19 overs before bad light stopped play, New Zealand put up 47 without loss, their highest opening partnership of the series.
Tim McIntosh (31) and debutant Bradley Watling (13) were in crease at stumps.
–Agencies