Cricket: Pakistani debutant reaches ton but NZ in charge

Umar Akmal reacts after reaching his hundred on debut. Photo / NZPA

Shane Bond rolled back the years and Umar Akmal gave a glimpse of Pakistan's batting future before New Zealand finished the stronger on the third day of the first cricket test here today.

Bond heralded his return to the test format for the first time in two years with a compelling three-wicket burst, though by close of play at University Oval Umar, a 19-year-old debutant, and his elder brother, Kamran, had retrieved their side from the brink of collapse.

Umar's scintillating 129 from 160 balls - the 11th century by a Pakistani on debut - made amends for a middle order wobble as the siblings piled on 176 runs for the sixth wicket to salvage Pakistan from 85 for five.

Both were gone by stumps but the deficit was trimmed to 122 after New Zealand's innings closed on 429.

Tailenders Mohammad Aamer, 12, and Mohammad Asif restart Pakistan's innings tomorrow on 307 for eight.

There was no disguising Umar's impetuous streak as he launched a counterattack soon after taking guard.

Already averaging a respectable 44.10 from 10 one-day internationals, Umar raced to his maiden test fifty from a mere 57 balls with nine boundaries and a six before reverting to defensive mode as Kamran, the vice-captain and wicketkeeper, played catch up.

Umar also showed scant regard for the so-called `nervous' 90s, as his second milestone loomed - creaming two improvised boundaries and a sweetly-struck six off Iain O'Brien to rocket from 87 to 101. In all, he found the ropes 16 times.

As he bent to kiss the ground, New Zealand's bowlers were practically on their knees - though respite arrived two balls later when Kamran's outside edge was snaffled by Ross Taylor at slip to end his knock on 82.

Daniel Vettori ended an enterprising 257-ball stand, though the captain's left arm spin rarely threatened.

Bond was denied during his initial first six-over burst with the new ball, but the 34-year-old's second spell was reminiscent of him at his best.

It illustrated what New Zealand had been lacking in the 20 tests he missed through injury-enforced retirement and subsequent self-imposed exile to the Indian Cricket League.

His first wicket since Herschelle Gibbs exited at The Wanderers on November 11, 2007, also rekindled memories of his dismissal of Cameron White at Wellington earlier that year - a stunning return catch in the first leg of New Zealand's triumphant Chappell-Hadlee Trophy campaign.