Shehzad ton highlights Pakistan’s dominance
Pakistan continued where they left off against Australia, going into the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi by racking up the runs, with Ahmed Shehzad's century leading them to 269 for one at stumps.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat, selecting an unchanged side that beat the Aussies a week ago, also in the UAE. They started well, with Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez unbeaten before lunch.
The pair reached the first session break on 85 for none, and the afternoon was much of the same, but at a slower rate. They weren't going quickly because they didn't have to, as the openers recorded 178, the fourth highest opening stand for Pakistan in Tests.
Hafeez was the only unlucky one on the day, out for 96. He fell to all-rounder Corey Anderson, a new inclusion in the side from the one that faced the West Indies, having struck 10 fours in 137 deliveries.
Shehzad took aged to record his century, using up 221 balls and getting it after tea, but that was immaterial as Azhar Ali stood by him and they picked up the pace towards the close. At stumps, Ali was on 46 and Shehzad on 126.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling, Tim Southee, Mark Craig, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan
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