Cricket: Taylor produces 12th century

Ross Taylor. Photo / Getty Images

Ross Taylor emphasised his value as this country's premier test batsman by producing his 12th century in New Zealand's 250 for nine declared, setting Pakistan a chase of 261 for victory on the final day of the second test. The crowds finally responded to the prospect of a riveting afternoon's cricket by rolling in to celebrate Friday, the start of the United Arab Emirates weekend.

Taylor joins John Wright in second-place on New Zealand's all-time list of century-makers. Martin Crowe has the most with 17.

He added 27 to his overnight score in a vital seventh wicket partnership of 60 with Mark Craig. Yasir Shah eventually had him stumped for 104.

Taylor offered his usual surety waiting to play the ball late and keep the shape of his batting plan by easing the ball into the offside and behind point. It was the innings of a player with a sense for the big occasion. It is the first time Taylor has scored a century in the third innings of a test. Curiously his next four highest scores in the third innings (76 v Zimbabwe in Bulawayo 2011, 74 v Sri Lanka in Colombo 2012, 59 v Pakistan in Dunedin 2009 and 56 v Australia in Hobart 2011) all came in New Zealand test victories.

Craig went on to make 34. His reliability at No.8 in the order continues to impress, as his average of 39 attests.

Tim Southee added a cameo at the end with three consecutive sixes off Zulfiqar Babar's final over on his way to 20 before captain Brendon McCullum called the batsmen in, rather than causing No.11 Trent Boult to waste unnecessary energy.

Shah with five for 79 from 21 overs and Babar with four for 96 from 27.5 kept the momentum flitting back and forth between the two sides.

With more than two sessions to bowl Pakistan out and gauging from the Pakistan bowling figures, the onus looked set to go on Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig to perform to their best and try to make use of the terrifying or welcoming footmarks, depending on your perspective.

However it was Tim Southee who struck first for the New Zealand cause as he found the edge of Taufeeq Umar's bat to take the first step of 10 required for a rare victory in this part of the world.

New Zealand's last victory against a sub-continent team at home came with the victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2012 when Taylor starred with 142 and 74. That was a long way off but the prospect was ignited.

No team in seven completed tests at the Dubai International Stadium has chased more than 137 to win in the fourth innings - Sri Lanka did it in January. The highest fourth innings total was 343 for three scored by Pakistan in November 2010.

ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES