Cricket: Top-order flop gives Pakistan slim hope

Shane Bond of New Zealand is bowled by Mohammad Asif of Pakistan. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's bowlers would have been entitled to glare across the dressing room at the end of a depressing fourth day and grumble about another fine mess their batsmen had dropped them into.

Having done such a poor job of batting Pakistan out of the opening test at University Oval, the hosts will start the final day with a real chance of losing, which would turn most of the evidence of the first three days on its head.

Yet it is still an even bet, bearing in mind the worn nature of a final day pitch with variable bounce. New Zealand will start at 147 for eight, holding an overall lead of 244.

"I think anything over 250 is going to be a big ask for them, especially if we do everything in a disciplined manner and turn up prepared to win the game," seamer Chris Martin said last night.

"It's definitely there for us to take."

Powered by classy, aggressive fast bowling by teenager Mohammad Aamer, well supported by the clever seamer Mohammad Asif, Pakistan worked their way steadily through the New Zealand order yesterday, despite captain Mohammad Yousuf missing trick after trick in terms of putting the heat on the succession of batsmen who traipsed out to the middle.

It was as if he was waiting for New Zealand's batsmen to cock it up for him. In retrospect he might figure that was a pretty successful ploy, as the batsmen were quite good at that.

It had all begun happily enough, with the last two Pakistan wickets falling in 6.5 overs, Shane Bond completing a satisfying five-wicket haul on his return.

But from then on it went pear-shaped, and stayed that way for the rest of a truncated day.

Only Tim McIntosh, grimly defiant for 3h 20min over 31, and Ross Taylor's chancy, but breezy 59, and later Grant Elliott's stubborn if unconvincing 20 not out over 136 minutes, provided any substance.

Runs were got by contrasting means. McIntosh was solid but battled to collect runs. It took him 26 balls to get off the mark; his first authoritative shot came on the 39th with a cover driven four.

Taylor had a tough time from left armer Aamer and could have been caught twice at mid off and cover point.

But having past 50 for the second time in the match, and just as he seemed to be pushing New Zealand clear, the stand ended in a mid-wicket muddle, a "yes, no, err, ooh" moment leaving Taylor run out by a fine side on throw from Khurran Manzoor. From that point the innings hit the skids.