Butler's six-for puts New Zealand on top

Close New Zealand 366 and 75 for 3 lead Pakistan 196 (Youhana 60; Butler 6-46) by 245 runs
Scorecard

New Zealand led Pakistan by 245 runs with seven second-innings wickets in hand after an outstanding display on the second day at the Basin Reserve. Spearheaded by a fine bowling performance by Ian Butler, who took a career-best 6 for 46, New Zealand dismissed Pakistan for 196, giving them a lead of 170 runs on the first innings. By close of play, they had reached 75 for 3 in their second outing.

Butler was outstanding with the second new ball. He took 5 for 12 in his five-over stint in a period in which Pakistan lose six wickets for 28 runs. Yousuf Youhana scored a sedate 60 to hold the innings together through the first part of the day, but once he fell to Daniel Vettori, Pakistan's resistance fell away.

Pakistan started the day intent on a slow, hard graft towards New Zealand's total of 366. But they lost Taufeeq Umar for 16 when only eight runs had been added to their overnight total. Daryl Tuffey nailed him with one which bounced, hit the splice of the bat, and lobbed to Jacob Oram at gully (60 for 3).

Inzamam-ul-Haq batted cautiously against a tight New Zealand attack that rarely wavered in accuracy. When they did, Inzamam made them pay, going on the back foot and placing the ball square on either side of the wicket. It was a surprise when Oram got a ball through his defences to trap him in front for 34 (112 for 4).

Youhana played with circumspection throughout the 136-minute morning session, adding only 29 runs to his overnight total. After lunch, Youhana and Abdul Razzaq quickly worked their way past the follow-on target of 167. But soon after that had been achieved, Youhana edged a ball from Vettori to Stephen Fleming at slip (168 for 5).

The second new ball was taken three runs later, and Butler had immediate success with it when Abdul Razzaq (26) was bowled with a superb indipper. Moin Khan chanced his arm and added 23 with Mohammad Sami before Sami gloved a rising ball from Butler to Robbie Hart (194 for 7).

Butler then polished off Shoaib Akhtar, Moin and Danish Kaneria in the space of seven balls to wrap up Pakistan's innings at the stroke of tea.

New Zealand's second innings started in similar fashion to their first, with Shoaib dismissing the out-of-form Lou Vincent. This time, he was trapped in front, for 4 (8 for 1). Fleming showed plenty of aggression in his brief innings. He had just jumped down the pitch and off-driven Kaneria for four, when, next ball, he stayed crease-bound and was also out leg-before for 24 (43 for 2).

Richard Jones added 30 with Mark Richardson, who played a few forceful strokes through the off side on his way to an unbeaten 35. But when Shoaib returned for his second spell, Jones could not keep a rising leg-side delivery from clipping his gloves. Moin latched on to the catch, and Jones was out for 7 (73 for 3). Tuffey was sent in as nightwatchman and played out the rest of Shoaib's last over.