Pakistan struggle in wet Wellington

New Zealand took the first day's honours in the second Test against Pakistan after reducing the visitors to 161 for 6 when stumps was called 56 minutes before the scheduled close at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Thursday.

Daniel Vettori vindicated his decision to insert Pakistan by claiming the wickets of Imran Farhat and Mohammad Yousuf, the latter for a duck, in one over, while Daryl Tuffey, who replaced the injured Shane Bond, marked his return to Test cricket after well over five years with two crucial wickets for figures of 2 for 32.

Vettori, who also dismissed Misbah-ul Haq, had claimed 3 for 42 at the end of the day, which saw only 58 overs being bowled, as play began two hours and ten minutes late because of a wet outfield.

Pakistan showed early promise as the new opening pair of Farhat and Salman Butt posted a half-century stand. But after Butt departed in the 33rd over, wickets fell at regular intervals and Pakistan slipped to 66 for 3, including the key wicket of skipper Mohammad Yousuf for naught.

A partnership between first Test hero Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul Haq took Pakistan past the 100 run mark before Tuffey dismissed Akmal for 46.

Promoted two positions to one down after scoring 129 and 75 last week in Dunedin, Umar looked set for another half-century early in the final session. But, after scoring 46, the 33-year-old Tuffey got an inswinger to sneak through the gate and send the 19-year-old back.

The visitors were unable to get another partnership going and slipped further to 161 for 6 before bad light prevented the hosts from consolidating on their ascendancy.

Pakistan will be hoping that Kamran Akmal, unbeaten on 21, and Mohammad Aamer, on 2, can add some solidity to the innings when they resume on Day 2.

Scorecard

Pakistan (1st innings):
Imran Farhat c R Taylor b D Vettori 32
Salman Butt c D Tuffey b I OBrien 29
Umar Akmal b Daryl Tuffey 46
Mohammad Yousuf lbw Daniel Vettori 0
Misbah-ul-Haq lbw Daniel Vettori 21
Shoaib Malik c D Vettori b Tuffey 9
Kamran Akmal not out  21
Mohammad Aamer  not out 2
Umar Gul
Mohammad Asif
Danish Kaneria
Extras: (b 0,lb 0,w 1,nb 1) 1 
Total: (6 wickets; 58 overs) 161 (2.78 runs per over)

Fall of wickets: 1-60 Salman Butt (32.2 ov), 2-66 Imran Farhat (35.1 ov), 3-66 Mohammad Yousuf (35.3 ov), 4-119 Umar Akmal (45.1 ov), 5-131 Shoaib Malik (49.5 ov), 6-156 Misbah-ul-Haq (55.2 ov).

Bowling: Chris Martin 11-2-32-0; Daryl Tuffey 16-5-32-2; Ian O'Brien 17-4-55-1 (w 1); Daniel Vettori 14-4-42-3.