A special innings is going to be required by one or other of New Zealand's batsmen if they are to win the first National Bank Test against Pakistan at Eden Park over the next two days.

That's captain Stephen Fleming's view after his first innings 86 which felt as if it was going to be a special innings for him but which ended when he dragged a ball from off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq onto his stumps.

"I was tested all the way through and it was very disappointing to get out. We got into good position to play the ball and when you can do that on this wicket you can score runs," he said.

Fleming said his concentration had been good throughout the innings and during his fifth wicket partnership with Craig McMillan the pair built up good momentum.

The Test itself was an enjoyable one despite the frustrations caused by the slow nature of the wicket which is increasingly playing into the hands of the Pakistan spin attack.

"It is very challenging," he said.

New Zealand, was looking to try and restrict Pakistan to a lead of around 250-300.

Scoring that sort of total would be tough but a challenge, Fleming said, and the New Zealand batsmen were looking forward to the challenge.

When bowling at the start of the Pakistan innings the New Zealand bowlers had given away too many four balls, that went all around the ground.

"But I was very pleased with the way Paul Wiseman bowled tonight. It is going to take a special innings to win the game and we have to take wickets and restrict them to a lead of between 250-300," he said.

© CricInfo