431 is a figure of iconic status in New Zealand cricket, but it could assume even greater proportions if this under-strength side can achieve the impossible to win the first National Bank Test against Pakistan in Auckland tomorrow.

That is the figure Sir Richard Hadlee enshrined in cricket history by taking the most wickets in Test cricket.

And that is what Pakistan has set New Zealand to win this game. The world record for successful chases remains the 406 by India against the West Indies in 1976.

New Zealand began its chase today, reaching 105/1 with Mark Richardson 59 not out at stumps. Because time is being made up in the Test after rain on the first day, New Zealand will have 103 overs to face today, either to push for a miraculous win, or to survive for a draw.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said it would take a special innings for New Zealand to win this match, but he was talking when he regarded 250-300 as a catchable figure.

His bowlers couldn't break through today and New Zealand was left in damage control mode to minimise the fallout.

But the fact that 344 runs were score for the loss of only three wickets during the day, and one of them a hairline run out call that went against New Zealand opener Matthew Bell, who paid the price for a moment of hesitation on a quick single, offers New Zealand some hope that the pitch may not be as bad as it was imagined it might be.

There is prolific turn in the pitch, but finding the right spot to embarrass the New Zealanders has so far proven costly for Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed.

There is not a lot of room for Pakistan captain Moin Khan to manoeuvre, he has only the two spinners and Waqar Younis and Mohammad Sami to call on.

If Richardson can play the anchor role, and keep punishing loose balls as he has done, then this match may yet produce a thrilling finale.

Younis Khan with his 149 not out has already succeeded in giving the match a touch of class.

He was outstanding for Pakistan and gave his side sufficient impetus to ensure that it had a comfortable run cushion from which to dictate the last four sessions of the game.

He was 149 not out when the declaration was made at 336/5 and it was his second century in three Test innings, with the "failure" being the 91 he scored in the first innings of this match.

Not afraid to give the ball some air, he hit four sixes in his innings, including a superbly struck shot over mid wicket and into the West Stand. With 14 fours spread around the ground, but most notably with some classic straight and cover drives, he scored at a good clip with his runs coming from 182 balls.

He and debut player Faisal Iqbal enjoyed an unbroken stand of 147 runs for the sixth wicket with Faisal scoring his maiden Test half century. He was not out 52 at the declaration scored in 165 minutes off 152 balls.

Earlier in the day Yousuf Youhana scored 42 before he was nicely caught by Nathan Astle at second slip to give James Franklin a second Test wicket.

But if there was one New Zealand bowler to shine it was the medium-fast bowler Daryl Tuffey who took three for 43 from 17 overs.

© CricInfo