Northants' Stephen Peters reached his century before tea

Pakistan toiled in the field and struggled with the bat on the first day of their three-day game at Northampton.

The tourists, led by vice-captain Younis Khan, made six changes from the first Test at Lord's and lost the toss.

Opener Stephen Peters made 142 and shared a stand of 168 with Usman Afzaal (71 not out) before Northamptonshire declared at 269-3 in mid-afternoon.

Salman Butt and Imran Farhat only made four apiece, and Taufeeq Umar (29) also fell as Pakistan closed on 97-3.

It will be a blow for the tourists, as Farhat and Butt - who contributed just 61 runs between them in both innings of the Test - missed out on valuable time at the crease and were shown no mercy by opening bowlers Ben Phillips and Charl Pietersen.

Butt edged Pietersen to keeper Riki Wessels off the fourth ball of the innings, while Farhat was caught by Peters at backward square leg off Phillips.

I have faith in my players and I know they will come good Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer

Umar had made a rapid 29 before edging David Wigley, and Wessels picked up his second catch of the evening session.

It will leave Younis (50 not out) and Faisal Iqbal (seven not out) to pick up the pieces on day two.

Coach Bob Woolmer insisted afterwards that there was "not a problem" with Pakistan's top order batsmen.

"Lots of people are talking about it after their failure against England but I have faith in my players and I know they will come good," Woolmer said.

"I am really pleased to see Younis get a 50 and be in such good form after he missed the first Test.

"It's good to get some match practice and much better than batting and bowling in the nets.

"It helps to get the guys scoring some runs and improves their form and confidence.

"I prefer a three-day game as it gives us one more day's rest. I firmly believe you need a good mix of rest and play."

Earlier, Northants skipper David Sales declared after his side had added just 19 runs after tea, when Peters - having recorded his first century for two seasons - holed out to Iqbal at long leg.

The tourists' regular captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was rested for the match, while Abdul Razzaq, troubled by a back problem, skipped the game as expected.

Bowlers Danish Kaneria and Mohammad Sami, all-rounder Shahid Afridi plus star batsman Mohammad Yousuf, were also given a break.

It meant seamers Samiullah Niazi, Shahid Nazir and Rao Iftikhar Anjum all played while off-spinner Arshad Khan was co-opted from club cricket.

Also called up was Jannisar Khan, a 24-year-old all-rounder playing league cricket in England.