Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq leaves the field out on 99 against New Zealand during the second cricket Test in Wellington Monday. (Reuters) WELLINGTON: Pakistan skipper Misbahul Haq fell agonizingly short of a century when he was trapped lbw on 99 as New Zealand clawed its way back into the second Test Monday. Pakistan was all out for 376 in reply to the Black Caps' 356, leaving the Test evenly poised after New Zealand received a lucky break when an umpiring error cost Younus his wicket, breaking a 142-run partnership with Misbah. The tourists had been cruising at 286-3 until the last ball before tea, when Jesse Ryder caught Younus at short leg off a Daniel Vettori delivery that television replays showed missed the bat. Younus departed on 73, shaking his head at a decision that sparked a Pakistan collapse as New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and paceman Chris Martin tore through the batting line up to finish with four wickets apiece. It was the latest in a spate of umpiring errors that have marred the two-Test series, in which the umpire referral system is not in use. While Younus could feel justifiably miffed at umpire Rod Tucker, the most disappointed player at Wellington's Basin Reserve was probably Misbah, who looked set to reach his third Test century and guide his side to a big lead. After occupying the crease for more than five hours, facing 207 balls and providing the backbone of Pakistan's innings, Misbah was dismissed lbw on 99 when a Chris Martin delivery cut back on him. His teammates could not capitalize on his hard work, giving Pakistan a slender first innings lead of 20, which Black Caps' openers Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum had whittled down to 11 by stumps. New Zealand opened the day brightly, as Azhar Ali (67) added only five to his overnight total, falling to a short-pitched Martin delivery that nicked the toe of his bat to provide Ross Taylor with a simple catch at deep extra cover. But from there the Black Caps struggled to get anything out of a flat Basin Reserve pitch until Younus' controversial dismissal gave them a way back into the match. Vettori, desperate to level the two-Test series after a humiliating loss in Hamilton, needed no second invitation, ousting Asaq Shafiq for a duck soon after tea with a fizzing delivery that carried to Taylor in the slips. The captain, who made his sixth Test century with the bat the previous day, finished the innings with figures of four wickets for 100 off 47 overs. Martin also came to the party, taking four for 91 off 32 overs. But New Zealand will be hoping their fightback is not made redundant by bad weather which is forecast to affect play Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially providing a draw that would give Pakistan a series win. – Agence France
