Pakistan's Inzamam, Nazir shine in Lahore

Inzamam-ul-Haq and Imran Nazir, celebrating his comeback, both struck centuries as Pakistan dominated the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Nazir, 20 and playing in his sixth Test, scored 127 while Inzamam reached 159 not out by the close of a hot and humid day in a Pakistan total of 355 for four.

The pair had shared in a third-wicket stand of 204 after Pakistan had slumped to 57 for two after opting to bat after winning the toss.

Inzamam's punishing innings included 25 boundaries and a six off wrist-spinner Brooke Walker from 254 deliveries.

He had batted for six and half hours and his 16th Test century put him one ahead of Salim Malik and eight behind former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad in the all-time list.

Nazir's last Test was 17 months ago against England. His other century, 131, came against the West Indies at Barbados in 2000.

He had scored four and 20 in his last appearance at Karachi where England won by six wickets to record their first series win in 39 years.

Earlier, Daryl Tuffey had accounted for Shahid Afridi with the third ball of the match and then slow left-armer Daniel Vettori picked up Younis Khan (27) in his third over.

Thereafter New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming rotated his bowlers but they lacked penetration on a placid track.

Vettori mixed up his deliveries well and gave the ball air to try and force a false stroke but Nazir and Inzamam countered by taking the aerial route.

FINALLY ENDED

Their partnership finally ended after tea when Nazir was acrobatically caught by Mark Richardson off the part-time bowling of Craig McMillan at mid-on.

Nazir struck 18 boundaries and three sixes in 203 balls after occupying the crease for a little under five hours.

He reached his fifty with successive fours off Walker and completed his century off the penultimate ball before tea with a six over the head of medium-pacer Chris Harris.

"Naturally there was pressure on me to perform because runs here would have only guaranteed me a place in the team," he said afterwards.

"With the competition getting tougher, you need to be consistent and pounce on every scoring opportunity.

"Playing with Inzamam-ul-Haq was a big learning experience as he kept guiding me all the way. I needed to spend time in the middle and I knew, if I could do that, I would get runs."

The 31-year-old Inzamam, playing in his 81st Test, was dropped by Mark Richardson off Vettori at backward point when 111.

Pakistan left out 104-Test stalwart Wasim Akram and fast bowler Mohammad Sami, instead opting for finger spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and wrist spinner Danish Kaneria.

New Zealand went in with leg-spinner Walker to support Vettori and gave wicketkeeper Robbie Hart his first Test cap.

Pakistan are bidding to win their first home series win in four years. They defeated the West Indies 2-0 in February but the series was played on the neutral venue of Sharjah because of security concerns.

Mail Cricket Editor