Tom Latham has played a compelling opening hand to deliver New Zealand first day honours at 243 for three in the second test against Pakistan.

The scoreboard was on first name terms with 'Tom' and 'Kane' as the pair amassed 76 for the second wicket as part of New Zealand's 160 for two at tea on the opening day of the second test against Pakistan.

Operation Desert Strip began positively for the New Zealand cricketers tonight in the second test against Pakistan with captain Brendon McCullum and Tom Latham bringing contrasting elements to an opening partnership of 77.

Regardless of whether batting, bowling or fielding was the root cause, NZ were routed by 248 runs in the first cricket test against Pakistan.

NZ have lost the opening test of the series against Pakistan by 248 runs but it came amid a fighting final partnership of 54 between Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult.

New Zealand, led by captain and opener Brendon McCullum, launched an attack on Pakistan’s bowlers last night as they attempted to survive the four-and-a-half remaining sessions in the first test.

As opener Tom Latham eked out his maiden test century in survival mode, his Black Caps batting partners combusted around him in Abu Dhabi.

The players are the best judge but the Abu Dhabi wicket didn't look like it had somehow drawn on a menacing cloak heading into the third day.

Martin Guptill can hardly help but hear the criticism when he fails at the batting crease.

Writing open letters isn't for me. Nah, I'm not that narcissistic. If I want to tell a player something, I'd just go down from my commentary spot and tell them.

Jesse Ryder might well be named in the Black Caps' 30-man squad in Dec but maybe it's best he doesn't make the final team for the World Cup.