Pakistan vs. New Zealand, 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights, Scorecard, Report

New Zealand made a solid start to the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai, with a century from Tom Latham helping the tourists reach 243-3 at stumps on Day 1.

The Black Caps, who were taken apart in the first Test, won the toss and opted to bat.

While the in-form Pakistan team kept things tight, they were unable to make any meaningful inroads with the ball.

The day was dominated by Latham, the 22-year-old opener impressing with his composure and control early on in his Test career.

His knock broke records, not least the highest by a New Zealand opener in Test matches:

"

Tom Latham 134* - this is the highest score by any NZ opener against Pakistan in Tests. Previous: Mark Greatbatch' 133 Hamilton 1993 #PAKvNZ

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) November 17, 2014"

The century took him past his father, who managed one Test ton in his career:

"

With back-to-back hundreds, Tom Latham is now his family's highest Test century-maker http://t.co/gZ0F4llKJN

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 17, 2014"

Standing 137 not out at the close, Latham will need to continue strongly on Day 2.

He had support from Brendon McCullum, who struck 43 with a couple of strong sixes until he fell. His dismissal, holing out to midwicket, felt like a cheap way to go after sinking plenty of hard work into the opening stand.

Kane Williamson got a start as well, grafting to 32 in a disciplined two-hour knock, only to get a gem of a delivery from Zulfiqar Babar which turned enough to sneak through his defences.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Latham	not out		137	379	258
B McCullum	c Masood Khan	b Adil	43	105	69
Williamson		b Zulfiqar Babar	32	124	86
Taylor	c Masood Khan	b Yasir Shah	23	102	71
Anderson	not out		7	41	38
Extras	0nb 0w 0b 1lb	1
Total	for 3 (87.0 ovs)	243
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Rahat Ali	20.0	2	46	0
Adil	17.0	4	47	1
Zulfiqar Babar	25.0	4	92	1
Yasir Shah	22.0	3	51	1
Azhar Ali	3.0	1	6	0

Ross Taylor was another victim of spin, pushing Yasir Shah to silly point after compiling 23. It was a disappointing loss for the Black Caps as stumps approached.

Corey Anderson was able to negotiate his way to the close of play without dismissal, but after a rare day in which Pakistan were second best in the United Arab Emirates, the hard work will have to start again if New Zealand are to build a match-winning position.

That said, if the conditions remain benign, with seamers offered almost no assistance and the spinners toiling hard at least at the start of the contest, the Black Caps have a chance to bat long.