Second Test, Wellington, day one:
New Zealand (246-6) v Pakistan
Match scorecard

Taylor's knock, off 168 deliveries, steadied the New Zealand innings

Ross Taylor's solid 78 helped New Zealand fight back after a shaky start in the second Test against Pakistan.

Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal took five catches, including Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder off successive Tanvir Ahmed balls, to leave New Zealand 98-4.

Taylor hit six fours and a six on his way to a 10th Test fifty but when he fell New Zealand were still only 180-6.

However, Reece Young and Daniel Vettori put on a stand of 66 to leave New Zealand on 246-6 at the close.

Vettori's 38 came at a far quicker pace than Young's 28, but for New Zealand the important thing will be that both men are unbeaten, leaving the Test finely poised.

The Black Caps had opted to bat after winning the toss but they lost Brendon McCullum, trapped leg before by Umar Gul, for just two.

606: DEBATE Pakistan were well on top twice but New Zealand managed to grind themselves back into contention and should be the happier of the two camps topdawg

Kane Williamson helped moved the score along to 46 before he nicked a Gul delivery to wicketkeeper Adnan to depart for 21.

Opener Guptill, who survived an early caught behind appeal despite television replays suggesting he had edged the ball, made an obdurate 29 before clipping a loose shot to Adnan off Tanvir.

And Ryder followed next ball for a second successive Test golden duck.

However, Taylor and James Franklin steadied the innings, as New Zealand ground out just 67 runs in the afternoon session.

Their partnership was ended on 68 when Franklin tried to punish a short Abdur Rehman delivery but only succeeded in edging to Adnan, who took a fine catch and 14 runs later, Taylor slashed at a Wahab Riaz delivery outside off stump to give the wicketkeeper his fifth catch of the innings.

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