Taylor, Asif shine on engrossing first day

---

Mohammad Asif - he of the persuasive wrist, the smug smile, the quietly provocative mannerisms - was back. Ross Taylor - scratchy start followed by spurts of arrogant strokeplay followed by spells of quiet prudence - played one of his more mature knocks at Test level. The support cast was there too: Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal, a surprise success on a first-day seaming track, kept the batsmen grounded; Martin Guptill got his maiden fifty and started New Zealand's recovery, and Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori thwarted the bowlers in the final session. Result: an engrossing day's play with New Zealand claiming a slim advantage thanks to Pakistan's poor fielding.
It was no surprise that the day should have begun eventfully. Mohammad Yousuf became the first ICL player to captain a national side, Vettori perhaps the first captain to call at the toss in a Test being played in his country. — Cricinfo
New Zealand 276 for 6 (Taylor 94, Guptill 60, Asif 3-76) v Pakistan.