Napier test hangs in the balance

NAPIER: New Zealand grabbed a wicket late on the fourth day of the third and final test against Pakistan to give them a sniff of a win at Napier.

Earlier, four half-centuries from Pakistan's top order ensured the 120 run deficit that they were up against starting the day was wiped off.

Imran Farhat added 67 to his first-innings score of 117 with Salman Butt (66) before falling to the seemingly harmless deliveries of Martin Guptill.

Guptill, who opened the bowling to allow fast bowler Chris Martin to change ends, struck with his third ball of the day, inducing a nothing-of-a-shot from Butt before he could add anything to his overnight score.

Resuming the day at 128-0, Pakistan were all of a sudden 146-2, Farhat also falling to a bemused Guptill. ‘We just needed to fill in an over because Chris wanted to come from the other end ... I got a wicket so I kept going,’ he said speaking to the New Zealand Press Association. ‘I'm not sure, I'd like to say I've done them in the air but it's probably not the case,’ he sheepishly added.

Mohammad Yousuf then joined Faisal Iqbal, who was again thrust up the order to take the number three spot. Iqbal looked like a man not sure of his footing and with too much going on in his head. However, Yousuf's presence managed to create a sense of calm and the two added 128 in 52 overs. Yousuf's inning was typically relaxed. His balance and composure was a stark contrast to Iqbal's nervy innings of 67 which was ended by a wide Chris Martin delivery that was edged to the slips.

Umar Akmal arrived on the scene looking like he had had two dynamites for breakfast. He got off the mark with a flicked six over long on off Daryl Tuffey and continued his dashing display to an unbeaten 48.

Yousuf, who looked impenetrable all day, fell 11 runs short of his 25th Test century as the ‘home’ side ended a rain interrupted day four in Napier on 347-4, 99 runs in front.

Akmal was joined at the crease by Misbah-ul-Haq who was batting on four at stumps.

Martin Guptill (2-28) was New Zealand's unlikeliest pick among the bowlers. But his supposed 'wizardry' ought to be credited to Daniel Vettori, who along with Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India is probably the finest captain playing the game today. Vettori's little experiments with the bowling changes were a lesson for Mohammad Yousuf to not bowl his four men down to the ground.

The third test remains evenly poised with the possibility of a Kiwi or a Pakistani win open along with the prospect of a thrilling draw.

SCOREBOARD AT STUMPS

Pakistan (347-4)
First innings 223

New Zealand
First innings 471

Pakistan
Second innings (overnight 128-0)
I Farhat c and b Guptill 61
S Butt c and b Guptill 66
F Iqbal c Taylor b Martin 67
M Yousuf c McCullum b O'Brien 89
U Akmal not out 48
Misbah-ul-Haq not out 4

Extras (3b, 2lb, 2nb, 5pen) 12
Total (for 4 wkts, 141 overs) 347

Fall: 128 (Butt), 146 (Farhat), 274 (Iqbal), 333 (Yousuf).

Bowling: C Martin 24-5-55-1, T Southee 23-5-54-0 (1nb), I O'Brien 28-4-85-1, D Tuffey 16-0-55-0 (1nb), D Vettori 39-16-60-0, M Guptill 11-2-28-2.