Opener Tom Latham struck his second consecutive century to keep New Zealand on course for a big first-innings total on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan yesterday.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, the visitors, trailing 1-0 in the three-Test series, reached 243-3 at the close.
Latham, who scored a century in the first Test in Abu Dhabi, remained unbeaten on 137, with Corey Anderson on 7.
Photo: AFP
The 22-year-old Latham, playing his sixth Test match, displayed good temperament and solid technique against both the fast bowlers and the spinners, and he reached his century with a single off paceman Ehsan Adil.
The left-handed batsman survived a close leg before wicket appeal against Adil on 11 and edged Rahat Ali on 71, but the ball went between the wicketkeeper and first slip.
Azhar Ali dropped Latham at gully after the batsman had reached his century and failed to latch on to a sharp chance at silly-point off Ross Taylor.
Photo: AFP
Latham added 77 for the opening wicket with Brendon McCullum, before the New Zealand captain succumbed to a rush of blood to be dismissed on 43.
Adil, who replaced paceman Imran Khan in Pakistan’s starting lineup, broke the gritty opening stand 15 minutes before lunch.
McCullum pulled Adil, playing his second Test, straight to Shan Masood, who was placed at square-leg precisely for that purpose.
Latham added 76 for the second wicket with Kane Williamson, who fell an over before tea, bowled by Zulfiqar Babar for 32.
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah dismissed Taylor (23) in the final session, but not before he had added 73 for the third wicket with Latham.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq introduced spin as early as the ninth over after his pace bowlers failed to make early inroads.
Pakistan, who won the first Test by 248 runs, went in with a new left-handed opening pair after Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez failed to recover from injuries.
Masood and Taufeeq Umar will open the batting for the hosts.
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