
New Zealand gained control of the second Test against Pakistan on Saturday after the tourists lost two quick wickets before ending the day on 52 for two in reply to the home side8217;s competitive total of 366. At the close, Taufeeq Umar 13 and Yousuf Youhana 11 had put on 22 for the third wicket.
New Zealand resumed the day on 151 for five and a battling 82 from opener Mark Richardson was backed up by an attacking innings of 97 by all-rounder Oram to wrest the initiative from Pakistan.
It was left to paceman Shoaib Akhtar to mop up New Zealand8217;s tail with his fifth wicket of the innings as the home side were dismissed shortly after tea.
New Zealand had resumed after tea on 359 for eight, but Daniel Vettori was out in the first over of the evening session, caught by Yasir off Mohammad Sami for a carefully-crafted 44.
Oram helped New Zealand take advantage of a tiring Pakistan attack and was unlucky to miss out on a century when he edged a Shabbir delivery to the wicketkeeper for his highest Test score.
Oram began very ordinarily before deciding to take on the Pakistan bowlers.
Brief Scores: New Zealand: 366 J Oram 97, M Richardson 28, D Vettori 44, S Styris 36; S Akhtar 5/48, S Ahmed 3/87 vs Pakistan: 52-2