3rd Test Day-3: Pakistan Vs. New Zealand - - Steady opening Stand: Butt and Farhat Almost Halved New Zealand's Lead of 248 Runs

A brilliant exhibition of patient and disciplined batting by the opening duo of Imran Farhat and Salman Butt has brought Pakistan back into the third cricket test against New Zealand in Napier on Sunday. Pakistan were 128-0 at the close of play on day 3, thereby wiping out more than half their first innings deficit of 248, after New Zealand were bowled out earlier in the day for 471.

Daryl Tuffey was the New Zealand hero in the morning session, as he frustrated the Pakistan bowlers and came very close to getting his maiden test ton. Resuming the day at an overnight score of 346-6, Vettori and Tuffey batted sensibly for over an hour, before Umar Akmal took an outstanding catch to send the Kiwi skipper back to the hutch with 134 to his name. Vettori and Tuffey had added 87 for the 7th wicket, making it virtually impossible for Pakistan to dream of salvaging anything but a draw from this match.

Tim Southee fell leg before to Danish Kaneria in the following over, in the process becoming his fifth victim of the innings, and it looked possible that Pakistan might just run through the New Zealand tail at long last. However, a stubborn innings of 19 from Iain O'Brien, saw the retiring fast bowler keep Tuffey company long enough for him to bring up his maiden test fifty. Tuffey grew more adventurous from then on, and pushed his way closer to a hundred, only to run out of partners as Kaneria continued his fantastic run picking up the last two wickets to end the innings with figures of 7-168.

When the Pakistan openers came in to bat, they had a daunting 248 run deficit to overcome. It was always going to be tough for the visitors especially given the fact that they are yet to establish a settled opening pair. However, Farhat and Butt showed excellent determination and skill as they batted out almost two-thirds of the day. They played very cautiously waiting for the loose balls to score off and completely eliminated risk from repertoire. Pakistan went in to tea with 72 runs on the board in the 24 overs possible, and both batsmen looking very solid indeed.

Sadly the game seemed to grind to a halt after the interval as the Pakistan openers decided to drop anchor for the long haul. The 32 overs that followed in the final session witnessed the addition of just 56 runs, and though the economy rates of all the bowlers on show made for great reading, the last and most crucial column in their bowling analyses was conspicuously vacant.

Farhat and Butt both brought up half centuries, and should they continue in the same vein tomorrow on a rather placid track, it would be unlikely that this series would see a victor. Daniel Vettori on his part will hope for some divine intervention to give his four-pronged seam attack something to work with. The pitch does have something in it for the spinners, however, despite the Kiwi skipper's prowess it is unlikely that he will be able to single handedly cause the same destruction that the wrist spin of Danish Kaneria was able to accomplish in the New Zealand innings.

Mini Scorecard:

Pakistan 1st innings: 223 all out
Imran Farhat 117 Iain O'Brien 4/35
Umar Gul 24 Darryl Tuffey 4/52

New Zealand 1st innings: 471 all out
Daniel Vettori 134 Danish Kaneria 7/168
B McCullum 89 Mohammad Asif 2/103

Pakistan 2nd innings: 128/0
Imran Farhat 55 Daniel Vettori 0/16
Salman Butt 66 Chris Martin 0/20