Openers Keep Pak Steady in Pursuit of Deficit

Napier: The visitors finish on 128/0, scoring 56 runs in the final session in 32 overs. The pitch is looking absolutely dead flat and it is becoming more and more favourable for the batsmen. The openers Imran Farhat (55*) and Salman Butt (66*) have seen their team through for over one-and-a-half sessions with minor hiccups. Strong response from Pakistan this.

Pakistan still trail by 120 runs but have all their wickets intact.

Unbeaten half-centuries from openers Salman Butt and Imran Farhat guided Pakistan close to New Zealand's massive first-innings lead as the visitors ended the third day on 128 without loss in the third and final Test at McLean Park on Sunday.

Butt brushed aside his failure in the first innings with 66 not out while Farhat, who scored a century and carried his bat in the first essay, was batting on 55 after New Zealand ended their innings on 471.

Pakistan still needed 120 runs to make New Zealand bat again with two days remaining in a series which is locked at 1-1.

The hosts, who were boosted by a century from captain Daniel Vettori, extended their lead with stubborn resistance from the lower order. Daryl Tuffey, overnight on 13, reached his maiden Test fifty and remained unbeaten on 80.

Vettori and Tuffey added 87 invaluable runs for the seventh wicket before Mohammad Asif removed the gritty New Zealand captain for 134.

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was Pakistan's most successful bowler as he ended with figures of 7-168 as New Zealand gained a lead of 248 runs.

Brief scores
Pakistan: 223 and 128 for 0 (Butt 66*, Farhat 55*)
New Zealand: 471 (Vettori 134, Tuffey 80*, Tuffey 76*, Kaneria 7-168)
Status: Pakistan trail by 120 runs.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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