Mohammad Aamer of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Tim McIntosh. Photo / Getty Images
Half centuries by Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor consolidated New Zealand's innings after a worrying start to the first test against Pakistan at University Oval here today.
Guptill compiled his maiden test half century - in his 10th innings - as the opener and Taylor combined to add 117 for
the third wicket, a restorative stand after Pakistan had reduced the hosts to 27 for two inside six overs.
At tea, New Zealand were 171 for three with Taylor unbeaten on 85 and the recalled Peter Fulton not out seven.
Guptill was the only wicket to fall in the middle session for 60 from 142 balls when a compulsive desire to attempt the pull shot again led to his downfall.
Missed on 26 at fine leg by Umar Gul, Guptill finally paid for a loss of concentration when he top edged a Mohammad Aamer short ball to a retreating Fawad Alam at square leg - a sadly predictable end to an otherwise impressive knock.
Guptill, also dropped on 26 by Imran Farhat at slip, eclipsed his previous best of 49 against India at Wellington in March when reaching the milestone with his ninth boundary, a classical drive.
Taylor eventually overtook the 23 year-old after completing his sixth test fifty from 97 balls - he accelerated with ease in the middle session, signalling his advance from a patient 19 from 68 balls at lunch by lofting offspinner Saeed Ajmal out of the ground.
He collected 32 off 29 deliveries to reach his fifty, acknowledging the crowd after his eighth boundary was slashed through point.
Taylor had only one anxious moment on 54 when captain Mohammad Yousuf unsuccessfully referred a failed leg before wicket appeal by Aamer to third umpire Rudi Koertzen.
Pakistan has only one unsuccessful referral for the remainder of the New Zealand innings.
Teenage quick Aamer was the pick of the Pakistani attack, taking two for 45 from 14 lively overs.
Gul conceded only one run from his first six overs in the morning session but was not immune once Taylor gained traction. He still had respectable figures of none for 37 from 13.
- NZPA
