NEW DELHI: Opener Imran Farhat’s
(117*) unbeaten fighting ton helped Pakistan to manage 223/10 in their first
innings on the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand at
McLean Park in Napier on Friday.

Scorecard

In
reply, New Zealand comfortably negotiated the last session and scored 47 runs
without losing any wicket. New Zealand were still 176 runs behind with Tim
McIntosh (31*) and debutant Bradley-John Watling (13*) at the crease when stumps
were drawn for the day.

Pakistan’s decision to bat first, after
winning the toss, in a batting-friendly conditions backfired as seamer Ian
O’Brien, playing in his final Test before pursuing a county career in England,
ripped apart Pakistan’s top and middle order.

O’Brien finished with
figures of 4/35. Tim Southee instigated Pakistan’s downfall when he castled
Salman Butt for nine, before O’Brien got rid of Faisal Iqbal (6), Yousuf (0),
Umar Akmal (0) and Misbah-ul-Haq (0).

Pakistan were tottering at 51/5
before Farhat held one end for the visitors and defied Kiwi bowling showing some
great resilience.

Farhat, who played a brilliant fighting knock, kept
attacking Kiwi bowlers from the other end. Kamran Akmal (22), Mohammad Aamer
(23) and Umar Gul (24) gave handy contributions down the order and helped the
opener to reach his third Test century.

Daryl Tuffey, who ended up
with the figures of 4/52, finished off the Pakistan innings by sending Danish
Kaneria back to the pavilion.

Indian Cricket League rebel Farhat, who
recently returned to the Pakistan team, played all through the innings. He
slammed 14 boundaries and a six in his marathon knock.

New Zealand
won the first Test in Dunedin before Pakistan levelled the series at
Wellington.