Close Pakistan 355 for 4 (Imran Nazir 127, Inzamam-ul-Haq 159*)
scorecard

Inzamam-ul-Haq and Imran Nazir seized the initiative for Pakistan with a pair of sparkling centuries, as New Zealand toiled hard in the scorching heat of the Gaddafi Stadium at Lahore, on the first day of a two-Test series.

After Waqar Younis had won the toss and elected to bat on a flat track, Inzamam and Nazir added 204 for the third wicket, as Pakistan recovered from a lacklustre start to reach 355 for 4 by the close.

The Pakistanis took the attack to New Zealand following the loss of two early wickets, and at stumps Inzamam was unbeaten on 159 off 254 balls, after dismantling the New Zealand bowlers in characteristically blunt fashion. He had hammered 25 fours and a six during his 309-minute stay at the crease.

Nazir, 20, hit 18 fours and three sixes in his 127, a four-hour innings which more than justified his inclusion in the side after a gap of two years. And though Yousuf Youhana fell in the last over of the day for 29, Pakistan could be more than content with their first-day efforts.

New Zealand had the better of the early exchanges. Shahid Afridi fell for a duck to the third ball of the match, edging Daryl Tuffey's perfectly pitched outswinger to wicketkeeper Robbie Hart, who was making his Test debut at the age of 27.

Younis Khan and Nazir took the total to 57 before Younis was adjudged caught by Stephen Fleming at slip for 27, off the bowling of Daniel Vettori, who was returning after missing the one-day series.

Pakistan have tried nine different opening combinations in the past year but Nazir seems to be the only contender with solid temperament and technique. "I am delighted, and Inzamam helped me get the confidence I needed when he arrived at the crease," he said afterwards. "I hope I get a permanent place after this knock."

The South African match referee Mike Procter allowed two water breaks per session instead of the standard one, to allow the players to adjust to the heat, which soared to 38oCelsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) in the afternoon as the match swung Pakistan's way.

The ball before the tea interval, Nazir hit Chris Harris over long-on for his third six to complete his second Test hundred off 171 balls. His previous century came against West Indies in Barbados two years ago.

But with the score at 261, Nazir fell to an outstanding catch at deep mid-off by a diving Mark Richardson off Craig McMillan.

Inzamam reached his century in typical style, belting Vettori over midwicket for his 14th boundary. It was his 16th Test hundred, and took 239 minutes and 191 balls.

Vettori's chance for revenge came soon after, but Richardson put down a difficult chance and Inzamam remained there with 111. New Zealand took the second new ball as soon as it was due, but failed to dislodge either Inzamam or Youhana.

Vettori, McMillan, Martin and Tuffey shared the wickets, but legspinner Brooke Walker conceded 48 in his eight overs.

Both teams entered the Test with two spinners as the pitch is expected to wear as the match progresses. Pakistan omitted Wasim Akram to make room for spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria.

West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor, standing in his 66th Test, equalled Dickie Bird's world record.

Teams
Pakistan 1 Shahid Afridi, 2 Imran Nazir, 3 Yousuf Youhana, 4 Inzamam-ul-Haq, 5 Younis Khan, 6 Abdur Razzaq, 7 Rashid Latif (wk), 8 Saqlain Mushtaq, 9 Danish Kaneria, 10 Waqar Younis (capt), 11 Shoaib Akhtar New Zealand 1 Matthew Horne, 2 Mark Richardson, 3 Lou Vincent, 4 Stephen Fleming (capt), 5 Craig McMillan, 6 Chris Harris, 7 Robbie Hart (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Brooke Walker, 10 Daryl Tuffey, 11 Chris Martin

Umpires Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Rudi Koertzen (South Africa)

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