Pakistan all out for 376

 Updated at: 0920 PST,  Monday, January 17, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan were all out for 376 runs in the 27th over after tea to take a first innings lead of 20 against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq made 99 and Chris Martin took four for 91.

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Pakistan all out for 376

WELLINGTON: Pakistan were all out for 376 runs in the 27th over after tea to take a first innings lead of 20 against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq made 99 and Chris Martin took four for 91.

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Pakistan on top despite Vettori strike

 Updated at: 0906 PST,  Monday, January 17, 2011
WELLINGTON: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan combined for a 142-run stand to put Pakistan in a commanding position against New Zealand at tea on the third day of the second Test Monday.

New Zealand needed a poor umpiring decision to break the partnership with the last ball before tea, when Jesse Ryder caught Younis at short leg off a Daniel Vettori delivery that TV replays showed missed the bat.

Khan, whose 73 included 10 boundaries, departed shaking his head, the latest to fall in a spate of umpiring decisions in the two-Test series that replays have shown to be questionable.

However, there is no provision in the match rules for the captains to appeal to the third official.

Pakistan, looking to overhaul New Zealand's first innings 356, will take some comfort in the progress Younis and Misbah made after Azhar Ali (67) added only five to his overnight total.

After that breakthrough from Black Caps' paceman Chris Martin, the frustrated New Zealand bowlers toiled for little reward on a flat track at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

Making his fifth Test half century in five innings, Misbah offered no chances as he went into the tea break on 70.

Forecasters predict bad weather will threaten play on Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning a big total could secure the two-Test series for Pakistan after the tourists easily wrapped up the first Test inside three days.

Vettori's late strike gave him figures of two for 75 from 34 overs.

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Pakistan steady after early wicket

 Updated at: 0725 PST,  Monday, January 17, 2011

WELLINGTON: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan took Pakistan to 209 for three after New Zealand's Chris Martin made an early breakthrough on the third day of the second Test Monday. The pair came together after Azhar Ali (67) added only five to his overnight total, falling to a short-pitched Martin delivery that nicked the toe of his bat to provide Ross Taylor with a simple catch at deep extra cover. With Younis Khan also fresh at the crease after New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori dismissed Taufeeq Umar with the last ball of the previous day's play, the Black Caps mixed up their bowling attack in the search for more wickets. But the skipper and Younis rarely looked troubled in fine conditions on a flat track at Wellington's Basin Reserve, which offers the tourists the chance to comfortably overhaul New Zealand's first innings total of 356. Younis took the initiative in the 65-run partnership, hitting five boundaries in the fourth-wicket stand. Misbah, eyeing a fifth consecutive Test half century, was more conservative, content to occupy the crease and attack any loose balls. Forecasters predict bad weather will threaten play on Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning a big total could secure the two-Test series for Pakistan after the tourists easily wrapped up the first Test inside three days. Martin's wicket gave him figures of one for 47 from 18 overs.

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Pakistan consolidate to 134-2 in reply to NZ's 356

 Updated at: 1112 PST,  Sunday, January 16, 2011
WELLINGTON: Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali both stroked patient half centuries after the loss of an early wicket to guide Pakistan to 134 for two in reply to New Zealand's 356 at the end of play on the second day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

Taufeeq blotted his copybook when he was dismissed on the last ball of the day, caught in close by Martin Guptill off Daniel Vettori for 70.

Azhar was not out 62 after he and Taufeeq had combined for a 132-run partnership following the early loss of Mohammad Hafeez for one, when he was given out caught by wicketkeeper Reece Young off Tim Southee to leave Pakistan reeling at 2-1.

Hafeez was unlucky to be given out as replays raised doubts as to whether he had hit the ball.

Taufeeq, however, was the beneficiary of not having the umpire review system in use during the series when he prodded forward to a sharply turning Vettori delivery and Young took a backhanded catch after juggling the ball four times.

Television replays showed he had got a large inside edge on to his pad before Young took the catch. It was the sixth possible decision that could have been overturned by the review system.

New Zealand's innings had been boosted by captain Daniel Vettori's sixth Test century, which was brought up amongst some tense moments at the Basin Reserve.

Vettori resumed after lunch on 79 but accelerated his scoring rate when he lost Southee (one) in the first over after the break and had just Brent Arnel and Chris Martin to come.

The New Zealand captain was on 96 when Arnel was trapped in front for one by Umar Gul and tension rose as the crowd wondered if Vettori would achieve the milestone with Martin striding to the crease to face three deliveries.

Martin's lack of prowess with the bat has attained cult status in New Zealand -- he only scored his 100th Test run in his 60th Test and 87th innings last week, however he survived the three deliveries, even deflecting one to the boundary.

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ICC hopes for return of Pakistan tours

 Updated at: 2135 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan needs to convince international teams that it is safe to resume tours to the country, an official of the sport's global governing body told reporters on Friday.

Dave Richardson, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) general manager, said he hopes international cricket will soon return to Pakistan but acknowledged teams will only agree to tour if they are given reassurances over security.

International teams have not toured Pakistan since March 2009 when seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach were injured and eight Pakistanis killed when attackers opened fire and hurled grenades at their team bus in Lahore.

Pakistan blamed the assault on the Taliban, and the national side has since been forced to play its home series at neutral venues.

"We are extremely hopeful that international cricket will return to Pakistan as soon as possible," said Richardson.

"It's a security related issue where Pakistan has to convince teams in particular and the international community in general."

Richardson, who played 42 Tests and 122 one-day internationals for South Africa before taking the ICC post, is in Karachi to watch the final of Pakistan's premier first-class tournament - Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Pakistan had already been a virtual no-go zone for foreign teams since the September 11, 2001 attacks, which put the nuclear-armed country on the front line of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and the war against Al-Qaeda.

When asked how far the ICC's Pakistan Task Team had got with a proposed World XI tour of Pakistan, Richardson said, "We have certainly not got to the stage where anyone has said that they want to tour Pakistan."

Richardson said a decision on any possible tour to Pakistan would be made by the country's cricket board. 

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Gul strikes early for Pakistan

 Updated at: 0609 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
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.

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Pakistan hold advantage in second Test against NZ

 Updated at: 2135 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal took five catches as New Zealand's top order failed to capitalise on sound starts and battled to 246 for six at the close of play on the first day of the second Test at a windswept Basin Reserve on Saturday.

The hosts' wicketkeeper Reece Young, playing his second test match, was on 28 and captain Daniel Vettori on 38 having forged an unbroken 66-run partnership that ensured the visitors had not taken total control of the match.

Strong northerly winds, with gusts in excess of 80kph, played havoc with the Pakistani bowlers, who were forced on several occasions to pull out of their approach to the wicket
as they were blown off course.

Ross Taylor was the standout in the New Zealand innings, ending a barren run to notch his 11th Test half century, before he was dismissed for 78 just when it appeared his sixth
test century was on offer.

The 26-year-old's previous eight innings had brought a total of just 172 runs at an average of 21.5 with one score in excess of 50. Saturday's innings was his best test score since
he scored a century against Australia last year.

Taylor shared in a 68-run fifth-wicket partnership with James Franklin before both fell in short order in the final session.

Franklin had battled to 33 before he tickled an Abdul Rehman leg-side delivery to Akmal that broke the promising partnership and left New Zealand floundering at 166 for five.

Taylor followed with the score on 180 when he slashed at a full, wide delivery from Wahab Riaz, which was his first of a new spell, and Akmal took a diving catch to his right.

The pair had been forced to resurrect New Zealand's innings after an all too familiar mini-collapse had threatened to totally derail their innings after lunch.

New Zealand had been comfortably placed at 98 for two then Martin Guptill (29), who had left the majority of wide deliveries go through to Akmal, had a rash swipe at a wide
Tanvir Ahmed ball that only caught the edge of his bat to carry through to the wicketkeeper.

Jesse Ryder then followed when he nicked to Akmal on the next ball. It was Ryder's second successive golden duck after he was dismissed first ball in New Zealand's second innings in the 10-wicket loss in the first test in Hamilton.

Tanvir was unable to achieve the hat-trick, however, when Franklin kept out a full, swinging delivery and he and Taylor set about trying to rebuild the New Zealand innings.

New Zealand had chosen to bat after Vettori won the toss to make first use of a good pitch on a sun-drenched day.

The hosts, however, began disastrously with Brendon McCullum given out lbw to Umar Gul on the final ball of the first over for two.

Kane Williamson was the only other wicket to fall in the first session and had looked comfortable moving to 21 before he was caught by Akmal off Gul. 

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World Cup venues will be ready in time, says ICC chief

 Updated at: 1204 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
MELBOURNE: The subcontinent will be ready in time to host the World Cup though five venues were still undergoing work, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat said on Saturday.

According to reports, the World Cup organisers have been racing against time to get the grounds ready for the Feb.19-April 2 tournament jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh.

"Five stadia are still to be completed but there are no alarm bells ringing and I'm sure they will be ready well before the World Cup," Lorgat told reporters.

Lorgat added that the Feb. 5 verdict on spot-fixing allegations against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir would not tarnish the image of the
tournament.

"There's some time between when the verdict is released on the fifth of February. We were keen to have it well before the start of the World Cup," he said.

A British newspaper report had alleged that the trio had taken bribes to arrange for deliberate no-balls to be delivered at pre-agreed times in the fourth test against England at Lord's last year.

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Kiwis to bat first against Pakistan

 Updated at: 0301 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
WELLINGTON: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and put his side into bat in the second Test against Pakistan Saturday, with the Black Caps seeking to square the two-match series.

The home side was thrashed inside three days by the tourists in the first Test and need to win in Wellington to draw the series.

They have made one change to their side, dropping out-of-form opener Tim McIntosh and bringing in left-arm swing bowler James Franklin.

"Sometimes if you can have that extra bowler in the likes of a Franklin then it allows Chris Martin or Tim Southee to be even more of a strike bowler," Vettori said.

The Pakistan side is unchanged and captain Misbah-ul-Haq said he would have elected to bowl first had he won the toss.

Vettori has described the Basin Reserve venue as the home of New Zealand cricket, but in recent years it has been anything but a fortress for Kiwi cricket.

They have lost three of their past four matches at the venue, while Pakistan have never tasted defeat in Wellington after drawing their first two matches in 1973 and 1985 and winning three Tests since then.

Fine weather is forecast for the opening day although Wellington's notorious gale-force winds are expected in the afternoon session.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Reece Young, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin, James Franklin.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz; Umar Akmal (12th man).

Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS), Rod Tucker (AUS)
Third umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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Strict security arrangements for QA Trophy final

Updated at: 1610 PST,  Friday, January 14, 2011

KARACHI: Due to tense situation in the city, security has been made high alert at the National Cricket Stadium and a heavy contingent of police has been posted at all its gates.The five-day final of the Quad-i-Azam Trophy is being played at the National Stadium from Thursday.This final is a historic match which is being focused by all cricket world but due to current situation in Karachi security has been alert in the stadium to avoid any unpleasant incident.Admission is free for the people to watch the match but the management has directed strict checking before allowing the spectators to go to the enclosures.ICC general manager Dave Richardson has come here specially to watch the final match.

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PCB to send QA Trophy final report to ICC

 Updated at: 1548 PST,  Friday, January 14, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will send a detailed report to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the final of the Quad-i-Azam Trophy being played between PIA and Habib Bank here at the National Stadium.

Sources told Geo News that the ICC had asked the PCB to send a report regarding the experiments during the match, captains and officials of the two teams and the TV viewership of the match.

The historic final of the Quad-i-Azam Trophy is being played under floodlights in which an orange ball is being used.

ICC general manager Dave Richardson who has come here to watch the final will give his comments on the match to the ICC.

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Pakistan, N Zealand play 2nd & final Test tomorrow

 Updated at: 1527 PST,  Friday, January 14, 2011
WELLINGTON: All eyes will be on the Basin Reserve pitch when covers are stripped off on the first morning of second cricket Test between New Zealand and Pakistan here Saturday.

Both teams say they would welcome some pace and bounce, and it appears that is exactly what they will get as tourists seek a rare series win and hosts a series-levelling result following their 10-wicket humiliating defeat at Hamilton.

The first Test pitch at Seddon Park was almost sub-continental in that it was slow, flat and largely lifeless, which suited Pakistan to a tee. Basin Reserve, however, should offer more of traditional New

Zealand surface with a good covering of grass and some movement for first few days.

"It looks pretty grassy. We wouldn't mind more sideways and bounce, it's good for us. It would be a good wicket," New Zealand coach John Wright said.

While New Zealand are hoping for familiar conditions, Pakistan's bowlers would also relish them and likely pose even more problems to a fragile home lineup that could not keep the tourists at bay even on a flat deck.

"I think conditions will be suitable for seamers, not only for us but also for New Zealanders as well," Pakistan quick Umar Gul said. "But I think we have good fast bowlers, myself, I bowl 140kmh-plus and Wahab (Riaz) is bowling 145kmh-plus, so I think at the moment we are a bit faster. This is a very good chance for us to win a series."

Wright's task this week has been straightforward - to get his batsmen in a frame of mind to play test cricket. But after they were frivolous in second innings of Hamilton Test in being bowled out for 110, that job may sound easier than it is.

If they could find away to survive, Wright believed they could threaten Pakistan and square the series. "Provided we get the runs and apply ourselves, we'll out a lot of pressure on Pakistan," he said.

"It is what it is, test cricket, there's no excuses. We don't need any explanations, if you're picked as a batter your job is to get runs.

It's about occupying crease and not giving your wicket away, it's not rocket science."

Wright said some harsh words had been spoken after Hamilton and he was confident they had hit home, though he warned that change may take ore than just a week. "They're in process of learning what it's like to play test cricket consistently," he said.

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Pakistan eye series win over N. Zealand

 Updated at: 1225 PST,  Thursday, January 13, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan will set aside off-field controversies to chase their first series win for four years when the second Test begins in Wellington on Saturday, as hosts New Zealand struggle for form.

Unable to hold international matches at home due to security concerns and beset by corruption allegations, Pakistan have not won a Test series since defeating the West Indies in early 2007.

But after crushing the Black Caps by 10 wickets in the first Test, the tourists are in prime position to go 2-0 up and record a clean sweep in the two-match series.

Coach Waqar Younis paid tribute to his players for maintaining their focus on the pitch as team-mates Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer faced corruption hearings in Doha.

"It's not that we've been playing bad cricket, it's just that the controversy has just been following us," he said.

"It's very, very hard for the boys to keep going and keep hearing this but I'm very proud of these boys, they've stuck to the task and every morning they get up and keep positive."

Butt, Asif and Aamer are set to learn their fate when an anti-corruption tribunal into spot-fixing allegations resumes hearings on February 5.

New Zealand coach John Wright has labelled as "unacceptable" the Black Caps' performance in his first Test in charge in Hamilton, when the batting line-up was dismissed for a paltry second innings total of 110.

Critics, including former Test opener Mark Richardson, expressed concern that the focus on Twenty20 had turned New Zealand's batsmen into one-dimensional players prone to wild shots and poor decision making.

Skipper Daniel Vettori denied the accusation in the wake of the Hamilton loss but Wright later conceded the emphasis on short-form cricket could be a factor behind the batting failure.

"The talent's there but we've really got a bit of teaching to do," he told Radio Sport.

"I think the reality is that if you look at learning to bat, particularly in a Test match, we've probably been more exposed in other forms of the game."

Wright, a former Test batsman known for grinding out an innings, said his players should be desperate to occupy the crease and not give their wickets away cheaply.

Vice-captain Ross Taylor said New Zealand's batsmen "need to have a good look at themselves, myself included", suggesting Wright's passion for Test cricket made him a good role model.

"The way that John coaches and the way he comes across, he's very big on Test cricket," Taylor said.

"He had a very successful Test career for New Zealand and he was a very hard player, so hopefully that can rub off on us."

The Test series has been reduced to two matches, down from the customary three, to allow for an extended six-match one day series, which will provide a warm-up for next month's World Cup in India.

Test squads:

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Reece Young, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz.

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Pakistan disappointed at decision delay

 Updated at: 2152 PST,  Tuesday, January 13, 2011
 KARACHI: Former Pakistan players and fans on Tuesday expressed their disappointment after an anti-corruption tribunal against three cricketers ended in Doha without a decision.

The tribunal hearing allegations against Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer decided to continue its deliberations and hold a further hearing in Doha on February 5.

Pakistani media reported on Tuesday that Aamer's lawyer, Shahid Karim, had asked the tribunal headed by Michael Beloff to defer announcing its verdict.

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas criticised the delay in the decision.

"It's absurd," Abbas said. "The International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept the players hostage for the last five months and now they have deferred the decision, which is inexplicable."

Abbas said the three key players cannot participate in the World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

All 14 competing countries have to announce their final 15-man squad by January 19.

"Because the players will continue to remain suspended they cannot play at any level, cannot practice so they are virtually out of the World Cup," said Abbas.

Another former captain Asif Iqbal was also surprised at the delay.

"The ICC has taken so much time on this case and have spent so much money on it and yet could not take a decision... it is strange," said Iqbal.

"I am surprised at the delay."

Former spin bowler Iqbal Qasim, however, backed the decision.

"Since it is a high-profile case, so any judgment needed to be properly gauged and legal opinion is also required and that's why they have delayed the decision," said Qasim.

Fans also criticised the delay.

"It's a conspiracy from the beginning, they want our key players out of the World Cup," said Haris Hussain, who heard the news on television in downtown Karachi.

"Pakistan will badly miss these three players and it would have been better had a decision announced."

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Team for NZ ODI series named, Afridi retained as captain

 Updated at: 1718 PST,  Wednesday, January 12, 2011
LAHORE: Allrounder Shahid Afridi has been retained as captain of the Pakistan cricket team while batsman Misbah-ul-Haq has been made his deputy for the upcoming six-match One-day International series in New Zealand.

The selection committee kept Afridi on as captain in the finalised the 16-man squad, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) release said.

The squad for the World Cup is likely to be announced later for which the International Cricket Council (ICC) has set a deadline of January 19.

Veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf was left out, raising fears the 36-year-old will not make the final World Cup squad.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who was cleared by the PCB for selection after he too fell under the spotlight of the investigation into spot-fixing, was restored to the side for the New Zealand series.

Kamran has not been selected since the tour of England which ended in September last year and was marred by spot-fixing allegations which led to the suspensions of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Former captain Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam were overlooked.

Squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Tanveer Ahmed, Ahmed Shahzad.

The six-match one-day series, which starts in Wellington on January 22, will be Pakistan's last before the World Cup which is to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

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Pakistan dominate second session

Updated at: 0842 PST,  Friday, January 07, 2011
HAMILTON: Pakistan took four wickets to claim the honours in the second session as New Zealand went to tea on the opening day of the first cricket Test at 160 for five.

New Zealand added only 82 runs in the two hours of play as Abdur Rehman put the brakes on the scoring with a miserly spell of spin bowling to give him two for 32 off 16 overs.

While the session belonged to Pakistan, their efforts were helped by the manner in which the New Zealand batsmen gave their wickets away.

Rehman's victims included Martin Guptill who had toiled away for nearly four hours to make 50 before receiving a full toss four balls before tea.

It was a delivery that could have been dispatched to any boundary but instead Guptill patted an easy catch to Misbah-ul-Haq in the covers.

Umar Gul took the prized wicket of Brendon McCullum when the New Zealand opener resumed after lunch in an aggressive frame of mind following a cautious start to the match.

With the first ball he faced after the break McCullum drove Gul for six and with the first ball of his next over he pulled him over the mid-wicket boundary.

But when the former Test wicketkeeper, who now wants to focus on his batting career, went for a third boundary he directed the ball straight to Azhar Ali to be out for 56.

Ross Taylor survived a comical run out attempt when Wahab Riaz collected the ball a metre from the stumps and managed to hit his own ankle as he tried to throw the ball.

But it was a short-lived reprieve for Taylor who broke Rehman's run of five consecutive maidens with a four but was caught behind on the next ball by Adnan Akmal for six.

Jesse Ryder reached 22 and was looking to solidify the New Zealand innings when he was trapped backing up too far to a straight drive from Guptill which Riaz deflected on to the stumps.

The not out batsmen were Kane Williamson on 12 and Reece Young, making his Test debut, on two.

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McCullum leads cautious start for New Zealand

Updated at: 0634 PST,  Friday, January 07, 2011
HAMILTON: Brendon McCullum steered New Zealand to a cautious 78 for one at lunch on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at Seddon Park here Friday.

McCullum was on 42 with Martin Guptill on 29 after Pakistan won the toss and put New Zealand into bat under overcast skies that offered the bowlers some movement.

However, the cloud cover proved only temporary and towards the end of the two-hour session the bowlers were getting little assistance.

Although the attack lacked sting, it was an uncharacteristically restrained innings from McCullum, despite his 42 including seven boundaries, as New Zealand looked to consolidate after the early dismissal of Tim McIntosh for five.

McIntosh, who was not required for the Twenty20 internationals in recent weeks, looked out of touch and only faced six balls before he prodded at a delivery from Tanvir Ahmed and edged the ball to Younis Khan at second slip.

McCullum also lacked conviction early on and kept the slip cordon interested but luck was on his side.

He survived a run out appeal on nine and appeared to have been caught behind by Adnan Akmal off Wahab Riaz when on 34 but the appeal was rejected by umpire Rob Tucker.

Tanvir Ahmed, the only successful wicket-taker, was one for 20 off seven overs while the more economic Wahab Riaz was none for 15 off seven.

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Pak win toss, bowl against N. Zealand

Updated at: 0402 PST,  Friday, January 07, 2011
HAMILTON: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bowl first under cloudy skies in the first cricket Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton Friday.

"There is a bit of grass, especially on one side of the wicket, and the forecast today is for overcast and so we will bowl first," he said.

Despite the atmospheric conditions and the suggestion the ball will swing on a green wicket, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had no regrets about the outcome of the toss. "We had a feeling we would bat first, no matter what he said."

Although Pakistan are without frontline players Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, who are appearing before an Independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing in Doha, Qatar, Misbah insisted his side was focused on the Test.

"That's a separate issue," he said when asked about the hearing in Doha. "We are focused here on cricket, we have nothing to do with what's happening there."

Pakistan are ranked sixth in the world, two places higher than New Zealand, and drew both Tests against South Africa in their most recent series last November.

The same month, New Zealand drew two Tests against India before being beaten in the third Test.

Teams: New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Reece Young, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin; James Franklin (12th man).

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz; Umar Akmal (12th man).

Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS), Rod Tucker (AUS)
Third umpire: Gary Baxter (NZL)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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My life at risk in Pak: Zulqarnain

LONDON: Pakistan wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider Thursday said his life is still at risk in Pakistan and the government is unable to provide necessary protection to him, Geo News reported.

He maintained his stance while giving interview to British interior ministry officials in connection with his application for seeking political asylum in UK.

Zulqarnain Haider alleged that corruption is rampant in Pakistan  Cricket

“The government of Pakistan failed to provide security to people like Benazir Bhutto and Salman Taseer,” he said, adding, the government was unable to provide necessary protection to him.

Sources said that Zulqarnain Haider was asked 80 questions during the interview.

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