Umar, Ali steady pak against Kiwis

Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali both stroked patient half centuries after the loss of an early wicket to guide Pakistan to 134 for two in reply to New Zealand's 356 at the end of play on the second day of the second test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali both stroked patient half centuries after the loss of an early wicket to guide Pakistan to 134 for two in reply to New Zealand's 356 at the end of play on the second day of the second test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

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Taufeeq was dismissed on the last ball of the day, caught in close by Martin Guptill off Daniel Vettori for 70. Azhar was unbeaten 62 after he and Taufeeq had combined for a 132-run partnership following the early loss of Mohammad Hafeez for one with the score on two. Hafeez was unlucky to be given out as replays showed otherwise. Taufeeq, however, was the beneficiary of not having the umpire review system in use during the series when he prodded forward to a sharply turning Vettori delivery and Young took a backhanded catch after juggling the ball four times. TV replays showed he had an inside edge on to his pad before he was caught. Vettori said he would like to see the UDRS in place. Earlier during New Zealand innings Vettori scored a century to guide his team to 356 and was the last man dismissed.

Brief Score: NZ 356 (D.Vettori 110, R.Taylor 78; U.Gul 4-87); Pak 134-2
(T.Umar 70, A. Ali 62 no)