New Zealand 404-8 on 2nd day of Dunedin test

Daniel Vettori was denied a fifth Test century but helped New Zealand to thwart Pakistan on day two of the series opener. New Zealand was 404-8 at the close of a day marred by showers and fading light meaning 54 overs were lost. Those interruptions and a crucial 164-run stand between Vettori and Brendon McCullum ensured New Zealand regained the ground conceded on Tuesday and with three days remaining they might now dictate terms. Vettori and McCullum carried the side from a vulnerable 6-211, teasing the Pakistanis by prolonging their partnership until the ball before lunch. McCullum's defences were finally breached by an Umar Gul yorker when on 78 from 154 balls but by then any hope of Pakistan scything through the lower order was lost. However, as gloom enveloped the venue an attempted glide to third man off Gul was pouched by Kamral Akmal, leaving Vettori to instead become the eighth New Zealand batsman to be dismissed for 99. New Zealand may consider declaring if there is cloud cover on Thursday to give their pace attack every opportunity to back up Vettori's heroics. 'We've got a sizeable first innings total so if we bowl well, hopefully we'll give ourselves a real opportunity,' McCullum said.