Pakistan survival chances improve
HAMILTON, New Zealand (Reuters) -- Moin Khan led a spirited Pakistan recovery to avert the follow-on in the first Test against New Zealand on Monday.
The wicketkeeper hit 137 -- his fourth Test century -- and figured in a 152-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Mohammad Sami.
Pakistan totalled 463, a deficit of 100, and at the close New Zealand were four without loss in their second innings going into the final day.
Moin came to wicket at the fall of Inzamam-ul-Haq for 51, with 108 runs still needed to avoid the follow-on.
When Abdul Razzaq went for 48 at 285, there was still a long way to go but Moin and Sami got on the front foot and batted aggressively.
Sami passed his highest test score of 22, but fell soon after for 25, giving Robbie Hart behind the stumps his third catch of the innings. Sami's part in the recovery lasted 171 minutes and 115 balls.
Moin's century came off just 129 balls and when he was eighth out for 137, his highest Test score, he had faced 174 balls and hit 20 fours and two sixes.
Earlier Inzamam was trapped lbw to Daryl Tuffey, and Razzaq was caught behind off the same bowler to give the New Zealand bowler a five-wicket haul.
Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent faced two overs at the end of the day and New Zealand finished four without loss, a lead of 104, although a draw now looks the most likely outcome.
