Shoaib caused the batsmen plenty of problems

An inspired Shoaib Akhtar helped Pakistan reduce New Zealand to 151-5 at stumps on the first day.

Shoaib ended with figures of 3-14 off only 11 overs after having New Zealand in serious strife at 2-1 at one stage.

He pulled up with a blister injury at the end of his final over, raising some doubt for the rest of the game.

New Zealand fought back from the worst of their troubles over the final session, with Mark Richardson (53 not out) leading the way.

We have to make Shoaib bowl a lot and the best way is to keep him out there while we bat well tomorrow. That will show his make-up NZ skipper Stephen Fleming

Shoaib yorked Lou Vincent for a duck and also removed Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming, lbw without scoring, in a fiery opening spell.

Bad light and then rain had meant that Fleming, though having walked to the crease in the third over of the day, was not actually dismissed until after the lunch interval even though he lasted just four deliveries.

Then, with the score on 41, Abdul Razzaq bowled debutant Richard Jones off the inside edge for 16 and the home side were three wickets down.

Jones was playing in place of the sick Chris Cairns.

Pakistan must bowl them out before lunch on day two From Saqib Raja Have your say on TMS

Scott Styris (36) went soon after tea after featuring in a 53-run partnership with Richardson as a flyer from Akhtar was nicked to wicket-keeper Moin Khan.

Craig McMillan was the fifth man to be dismissed when his 51-run partnership with the doughty Richardson was ended by Shabbir Ahmed.

McMillan (26) looked disgruntled after being given out lbw.

New Zealand: Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (capt), Richard Jones, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Robbie Hart, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Ian Butler.

Pakistan: Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq.