Tom Latham celebrates reaching his century on the opening day of the second test. Photo / Getty
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.
Latham endured the day by applying his reassuring brand of grit. He posted an unbeaten 137 and was the catalyst in putting pressure on Pakistan for the first time in the series.
He took the blueprint of his maiden century in the first test and built an extension.
The 22-year-old wasn't interested in century celebrations. There was the obligatory removal of the helmet and raise of the bat, but you sensed he just wanted to keep batting in the balmy, sheltered conditions provided by Dubai International Stadium.
Latham knew where his off stump was, only played when he needed to, and looked commanding off the back foot punching through the offside. However, that was rare. He preferred to work the ball off his legs. There were a couple of giddy moments. He edged Rahat Ali on 71 but it bounced before first slip and, on 103, Azhar Ali dropped him at gully off Ehsan Adil. Latham survived a review for lbw on 11 but the ball hit too high.
The Cantabrian becomes the second New Zealander after John F Reid in 1985 to score centuries in consecutive tests against Pakistan; he's the third New Zealand opener, after John Wright (v India, 1990) and Graham Dowling (v India, 1968) to score centuries in consecutive tests. Glenn Turner (v Australia, 1974) and Peter Fulton (v England 2013) completed consecutive centuries in the same test.
Tom Latham is the third NZ opener to score back-to-back tons. Photo /Getty Images
The scoreboard felt so comfortable with his presence that he was granted first name terms, referred to as 'TOM', for much of the day. After he reached his century he graduated to 'LATHAM'.
The opener presents a bright shop window for New Zealand's test game. His discipline saw him control a Pakistani test attack asked to bowl for the first time this summer. Just as the visitors suffered in Abu Dhabi, the tables were turned on the 'hosts' who suffered from some lethargy in the field.
New Zealand's performance confirmed the importance of the toss in a test which could be given the moniker Operation Desert Strip, given the nature of the pitch. Captain Brendon McCullum's call of 'heads' and his decision to bat might be the most crucial call he makes this test. That's the reality on bald pitches where spinners, in today's case Babar and Yasir Shah entered in the ninth and 12th overs respectively.
The visitors produced consecutive partnerships of 77, 76 and 73 for the three lost wickets. Corey Anderson is not out seven.
The innings began positively with McCullum, who lost his wicket late in the opening session for 43, succumbing to a trap with a lofted pull shot into the gullet of Shan Masood off right-arm pace bowler Ehsan Adil. The shot wasted a promising start, but assured incoming batsmen that runs were plentiful.
McCullum was bravado for the most part and jittery on occasion. Several shots brought 'splat' and 'kapow' comic strip appeal, including dispatches for six over deep mid-wicket and long-on. The former brought frustration for Pakistan; they couldn't find the ball and there was no-one in 'the crowd' to throw it back.
Both openers were subjected to Pakistani close-in fielders regularly stretching their vocal chords with blood-curdling Howzats, but nothing looked too convincing.
Kane Williamson was bowled by a classic slow left-arm orthodox delivery from Zulfiqar Babar for 32 just before tea. He was measured, only finding the boundary with his 58th ball on 26, but still bruised the crimson middle of his bat with strokes all around the wicket.
Ross Taylor produced three of his comfort blanket cover drives on his way to 23 before Masood juggled and caught him with a sharp chance at silly mid-off.
ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES