The match, against Northern Conference and part of the Shell Conference domestic first-class competition, is believed to be the first to be abandoned in New Zealand for this reason.

RNZ reported this afternoon that umpire Doug Cowie said concern about the pitch had been building up over the two days of play and after talking to both team captains and New Zealand Cricket officials it was decided it wasn't safe to continue.

After a slow first day's play on Wednesday, Northern were dismissed for 272 this morning. Pakistan A captain declared his innings closed behind the Northerns total on 160 for 6 after two of his batsmen had been hit by deliveries flying off the pitch. Wajahatullah Wasti received fractured ribs and Taimur Khan a broken thumb. Following the Pakistani declaration the match was abandoned.

Written for CricInfo365 by Rick Eyre (rick@cricinfo.com)