At stumps on the third day...
Pakistan 566-3 and 15-0
New Zealand 262
New Zealand was dismissed for 262 on the third day of the first test; Pakistan are 15 without loss in their second innings, on their way to batting the visitors out of the match.
A draw is not beyond rescue, but it will require more application from an order in which only Latham passed 50. Playing spin remains New Zealand's perennial problem in this part of the world, especially for the right-handers, with the left-arm orthodox Zulfiqar Babar and leg spinner Yasir Shah taking the ball away.
Latham looks to the manor born as a grafting opening batsman and his mana in the team will rise with this effort. Few environments challenge fledgling New Zealand test cricketers more, but he indulged in confident sweeps and punishing cuts and drives off the back foot, all while regularly rotating the strike.
"It gave me the confidence that my technique and temperament are up to playing at this level," he said.
"There was relief too. In the West Indies I had three half centuries in a row and it was disappointing not to kick on."
Latham said the toughest bowler to face was Zulfiqar: "Especially his variations, like the one which carries on and the one which came out of the footmarks.
"The pitch is deteriorating and there's going to be more turn out of those marks. I had a game plan and stuck to it, which included the sweep. I play it a bit back home, and in these conditions, without the usual bounce, the top edge doesn't come into play as much. It was a reasonably safe option."
The 22-year-old becomes part of the third New Zealand father and son combination, along with father Rod, to score test centuries. Walter and Sir Richard Hadlee and Ken and Hamish Rutherford complete the trio.
Only two other New Zealand openers have scored centuries against Pakistan away. John Wright made 107 at Karachi in 1984 and Glenn Turner made 110 at Dhaka in 1969. Both centuries came in drawn tests.
"We can all learn something from the way Tommy played," B-J Watling said. "It was a credit to him that he spent some time out there and went on to get his maiden hundred in conditions like that. He took his time, played in good areas and chased the bad balls."
Along with Latham, Anderson was diligent trying to justify his move to No.5. He played on to Rahat Ali for 48 but showed resolve. Shortly afterwards Jimmy Neesham danced down to a delivery from Mohammad Hafeez and wicket keeper Sarfraz Ahmed gleefully removed his bails for 11. That put New Zealand in a dicey situation at 150 for five as Watling strode out. He batted until the end for 42 and Ish Sodhi occupied the crease for 25.
The pitch didn't appear to have donned a menacing cloak overnight. Pakistan simply bowled accurately, further justifying their No.3 test ranking.
Dressing room contagion threatened New Zealand, following the rapid dismissal of their three best batsmen: Brendon McCullum for 18, Kane Williamson for three and Ross Taylor for a duck.
The spin trio of Hafeez, Yasir and particularly Zulfiqar with three for 79 from 27.3 overs looked to be generating a few degrees of extra turn but, more importantly, they zeroed in on a good length. That meant Pakistan exuded confidence with four or more men often around the bat and 566 runs on the board.
The New Zealand batsmen opted to go back more than forward to the spin, a plan which presented more time to play but left them vulnerable to low bouncing arm balls. Efforts were made to lead with bat in front of pad to avoid any awkward reviews but it's easier said than done in a test cauldron.
Zulfiqar was mesmerising; he deserved to find the outside edges of McCullum and Taylor as they sought to get a gauge on his flight.
Left-arm pace bowler Rahat also impressed by generating regular bounce and uncertainty on his way to figures of four for 22 in 17 overs, including 10 maidens.
Such circumstances invite intimidation, albeit subtle. The cacophony of chirping around the bat must have felt like being in a human aviary from which there is no escape other than scoring more runs to incite the fielders' removal, or getting out.
Pakistani vocal chords reached challenging octaves after any delivery came close to contact with an edge or a pad. Silly point, short leg, leg slip, slip and keeper made a shrill quintet but they'd earned the right to apply such verbal pressure.
ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES
- Herald on Sunday
