Yousuf was dismissed towards the fag end of the day, after playing a patient knock of 89. His innings, along with half centuries from Imran Farhat (61), Salman Butt (66) and Faisal Iqbal (67) made sure that Pakistan erased the huge 248 run deficit and ended the day with their noses in front having piled up a lead of 99 runs. They were 347 for 4 at stumps, with Misbah-Ul-Haq (4 not out) at the crease along with Umar Akmal (48 not out).

Earlier, the visitors could add just one run to their overnight tally of 128 for no loss before Salman Butt was sent back by Martin Guptill for 66. His opening partner, Imran Farhat, too perished soon to the same bowler for 61.

Faisal Iqbal was sent in at No. 3 and he batted with a lot of determination, adding 128 runs for the 3^rd wicket with skipper Mohammad Yousuf.

Iqbal fell just a few minutes before tea for 67, but Yousuf continued unperturbed as Pakistan stepped up their scoring with the help of the young Umar Akmal, before rain stopped play with 12 overs remaining.

Farhat not only scored his third test century but also carried his bat throughout the innings, remaining unbeaten on 117 which included 14 boundaries and a six. He saved Pakistan from embarrassment since at one stage it seemed like they will be bowled out under 100. Ian O’Brien, playing in his final test match before he moves to England to pursue his county cricket career, ran through the rest of the Pakistan batting, ending with figures of 4-35. In fact, such was his dominance on the opening morning, that at one point his figures read 4.2-4-3-3.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf won the toss and opted to bat on what seemed like a perfectly fine batting wicket. But, like we have seen on numerous occasions, Pakistan batsmen were in a mood for self destruction. Pakistan soon slid to 90-6 before Farhat’s spectacular counterattack helped Pakistan reach a respectable score.

Tim Southee started it for the Kiwis when he castled Salman Butt for nine, before the O’Brien show started. O’Brien first dismissed Faisal Iqbal (6) caught at gully off a sharp rising delivery. He then went on to dismiss Mohammad Yousuf, the in-form Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq – all three for ducks.

However, Farhat continued his onslaught from the other end, bringing up his half-century after lunch. Some useful contributions from Kamran Akmal (22), Mohammad Aamer (23) and Umar Gul (24) helped the left-handed opener to raise his third century in Test cricket.

Towards the end of the innings, No.11 Danish Kaneria’s scored an entertaining 16, taking Pakistan past 200 before Daryl Tuffey finished off the Pakistan innings, the lanky pacer returning with figures of 4-52.

Farhat, who was among the banned players for playing in the unofficial Indian Cricket League, has recently returned to the Pakistan Test team after breaking his ties with the rebel ICL.

At stumps on Day 1, New Zealand had reached 47 for no loss with openers Tin McIntosh (31 not out) and Bradley Walting (13 not out) putting together their highest opening partnership of the series.

The three-test series is currently tied at 1-1 with New Zealand winning the first Test in Dunedin before Pakistan bounced back to level the series at Wellington.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 47 for 0 trail Pakistan 223 (Farhat 117*, O’Brien 4-35, Tuffey 4-52) by 176 runs

Pakistan, who lost the ODI series preceding the T20 matches, are the T20 world champions and they maintained that status, putting in a clinical performance against a feeble looking New Zealand outfit. The hosts rode on the efforts of opener Imran Nazir (58), who scored his first fifty in international cricket since coming back into the national fold from the ICL, helping Pakistan post a competitive total of 161 for 8 on the board. The fast bowlers then gave them a perfect start, bowling immaculate line and lengths with the spin pair of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi wrapping up an easy win for the hosts.

The win was Pakistan’s 20th in 26 Twenty20 internationals and their third in as many matches against the injury-ravaged Black Caps.

Being put into bat, Pakistan got off to a flying start with Imran Nazir coming out all guns blazing. Nazir hit five fours and four massive sixes on way to a 38 balls 58 before speedster Shane Bond had him caught in the outfield in the 12th over to put the brakes on the innings.

New Zealand made a strong comeback taking the last six wickets for just 69 runs but a late order flourish from Abdul Razzaq (26 off 15 balls) took Pakistan to a score of 161 for 8. Shane Bond was impressive, returning with figures of 2 for 17 while Tim Southee ended with 3 for 28. The surprise package for the Kiwis was Aaron Redmond, who was bowling for the first time in a limited overs match and looked nothing more than a gentle leg-break bowler. He finished with figures of 2 for 24, picking up the important wickets of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.

Brendon McCullum, who was leading the side in the absence of the injured Daniel Vettori, gave the Kiwis a smashing start scoring 17 off the first over bowled by Mohammad Aamir. But Aamir came back strongly, by claiming McCullum (19) in his second and Ross Taylor (five) in his third to quash any hopes of an upset.

Abdul Razzaq (2-9) then dismissed Scott Styris (4) and Neil Broom (14), before spinners Shahid Afridi (2-21) and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (2-18) wrapped up the New Zealand’s innings.

Captain Afridi said the win was a much-needed boost for Pakistan.

“We had to win this match after our one-day loss,” said Afridi. “After getting 161 I thought that with our varied attack, we’d successfully defend the total.”

New Zealand’s stand-in captain McCullum said a string of injuries affected the performance. “We were struck with injuries,” said McCullum. “But those who came in got the opportunity. We weren’t at our best today but we have the potential to turn this around.”

The second match will be played at the same venue on Friday.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 161 for 8 (Nazir 58, Southee 3-28) beat New Zealand 112 (Watling 22, Razzaq 2-9) by 49 runs

Man of the Match: Imran Nazir

“That is why the board has decided to appoint Yousuf as captain and wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal as vice captain for the Test tour,” a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said. Pakistan starts the first Test in New Zealand on November 24.

The announcement comes after Pakistan lost the ODI series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi amidst growing criticism of Younis’s poor batting form and him having lost confidence among the players. The decision effectively confirmed the rumours and signaled a victory of players over an unpopular captain.

“I met the chairman today and told him I needed to rest,” Younis told Cricinfo. “I told him I feel as If I have no command over this team. And if a leadership has no command over its players, what is the point of continuing to lead? I also told him that the last 3-4 months have been  trying times for me, not just with the cricket but all that has happened outside it. I need time to get myself together now.”

He survived a revolt after the Champions Trophy in October when a group of senior players complained to board chairman Ejaz Butt about his attitude towards them. But the board rejected their demands and didn’t accept Younis’s resignation, asking him to continue as captain until the next World Cup in 2011.

However, on Wednesday, Butt told the Geo Super television channel, “Younis has taken the correct decision at this time to take a break from international cricket. The decision to appoint Yousuf as captain for the New Zealand series has been taken in the best interests of Pakistan cricket.”

Yousuf, 35, is the seniormost player in the team, having played 82 Tests and 278 one-day internationals. He rejoined the Pakistan team on the Test tour of Sri Lanka in July-August after having resigned from the rebel Indian Cricket League in which he played for one season.

Former Pakistan player and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said the board should appoint Yousuf as skipper on a long-term basis. “He is a very senior and respected player in the side and it is unfair to name him captain for one series only. I think it is best if Younis first regain his form and place in the team,” he told Reuters.

Inzamam added that he was not surprised by Younis’s decision as he also had experienced a group of players who were unhappy with him. “It becomes difficult for a captain to infuse a fighting spirit in the team once he loses confidence of his players,” said Inzamam.

Pakistan were all but finished in the game after having lost 9 wickets, with just 101 runs on the board while chasing 212 for a win, but rookie Mohammad Aamer (73 not out) and Saeed Ajmal (33) put together a record last wicket stand to bring Pakistan within touching distance of an improbable win before Saeed Ajmal holed out to Kyle Mills at long leg off the bowling of Jacob Oram, giving New Zealand a 7 run victory.

Mohammad Aamer, 17, also earned the distinction of the highest individual score by a number 10 batsman. The previous highest one-day score for a number ten batsman was 56 not out, made by Zimbabwe’s Douglas Marillier against India at New Delhi in 2002.

Earlier, Daniel Vettori won the toss and opted to bat first. Brendan McCullum, who scored a brilliant century in the second match, was the stand out performer once again scoring an aggressive 78 ball 76 which included six fours and three sixes. Once McCullum was dismissed, caught and bowled by Shoaib Malik, the Kiwis completely lost their way with the Pakistan spinners triggering a middle order collapse during which New Zealand lost their last 7 wickets for just 47 runs.

It was paceman Umar Gul who got the initial breakthrough for Pakistan, removing opener Aaron Redmond caught off Aamir for 21. This was Gul’s 100th wicket in 67 one-day internationals. Ajmal then came into his own, removing Martin Guptill (eight), Ross Taylor (44), Daniel Vettori (15) and Jacob Oram (two) to improve on his best one-day figures of 2-16 against the West Indies at Johannesburg in September this year. He ended with figures of 4-33 off 10 overs.

Chasing a modest total of 212 to win the game and the series, Pakistan got off to a solid start with the openers, Salman Butt and Khalid Latif, adding 47 runs in 8.2 overs. Vettori got the breakthrough for the Kiwis trapping Latif in front of the wickets in the ninth over. That wicket started a slump which saw Pakistan going from 47-1 to 101-9.

When Ajmal joined Aamer, Pakistan needed a mammoth-looking 112 runs in 16.5 overs, but Aamir set the tempo for an unexpected win by hitting Daniel Vettori for three sixes in one over. Slowly and gradually, he and Ajmal consolidated the innings, inching closer to the target with every over, beating the previous tenth wicket partnership record by Pakistan in all one-day of 72 by Abdul Razzaq and Waqar Younis against South Africa at Durban in 1998 in the process.

Aamir, who hit seven boundaries and three sixes during his 81-ball knock, improved on his previous highest score of 24 made against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Eventually it was New Zealand who managed to keep their nerves to take the final wicket of Saeed Ajmal and bowl Pakistan out for 204 thus winning the match by 7 runs. Jacob Oram was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand returning with figures of 3 for 20 off 9.1 overs. Tim Southee also impressed with figures of 2 for 26 off 10 overs.

Both teams now move to Dubai where they play two Twenty20 matches on November 12 and 13.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 211 (McCullum 76, Ajmal 4-33) beat Pakistan 204 (Aamer 73*, Oram 3-20) by seven runs

Man of the Match: Mohammad Aamer

Man of the Series: Brendan McCullum

Brendan McCullum helped New Zealand post a very competitive total of 303 for 8 before another comeback man, Scott Styris (3-23), bowled a superb spell to trigger a middle order collapse for Pakistan as they were bowled out for 239, leaving the three match series level at 1-1. Pakistan had earlier won the first one-dayer by 138 runs on Tuesday.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori won the toss on a flat batting wicket and opted to bat first. Pakistan got an early breakthrough when Aaron Redmond (6) was caught by Younis Khan off the bowling of Mohammad Aamer. Brendan McCullum then consolidated the innings in the company of Martin Guptill (62), adding 126 runs for the second wicket.

Coming on the back of a horrible year with the bat and being stripped of vice-captaincy, McCullum looked in complete control in his 129-ball knock of 131 which included 14 fours and three sixes. Guptill provided him able support with his 70 ball 62 including five boundaries and two sixes.

McCullum also added 44 for the fifth wicket with Vettori (30) before Razzaq returned for his second spell to have the New Zealand captain caught behind off a miscued hit. McCullum reached the three-figure mark off 108 deliveries. He also added 56 for the seventh wicket with Jacob Oram who made 33 not out. He was finally dismissed in the 47th over, bowled off an inside edge by paceman Umar Gul.

For Pakistan, Afridi was once again in the thick of things, picking up 2 for 49 off his 10 overs.

Chasing a challenging target of 304, Pakistan got off to a solid start with the openers, Salman Butt (59) and Khalid Latif (45), adding 77 for the first wicket in 16 overs. Latif was the first to go falling leg before to Daniel Vettori in the 17^th over. Butt and Younis Khan (19) kept Pakistan well on course for a tight finish adding 47 for the second wicket before Vettori introduced Scott Styris into the attack.

Styris struck three times in ten deliveries to turn the match on his head. Styris, who was bowling for New Zealand for the first time in 13 months, first accounted for Younis getting him caught at mid-wicket by a diving Ross Taylor. On the very next ball, he induced a false shot from the in-form Shahid Afridi (0) to make him give a catch to the same fielder. In his next over, Styris had Kamran Akmal (4) caught at short cover.

Butt was then run out after a huge confusion with Mohammad Yousuf. Vettori came back to trap Yousuf (18) in front of the wickets, pushing Pakistan to the brink of a defeat. Shoaib Malik (26) and Abdul Razzaq (35) did put up a fight but the acceleration came a bit too late for Pakistan. They were eventually bowled out for 239 in 47.2 overs, giving the Kiwis a comfortable victory by 64 runs. For New Zealand, skipper Daniel Vettori again bowled a splendid spell of 2 for 37 off 10 overs.

The final match of the series will be played at the same ground on Monday.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 303 for 8 (McCullum 131, Guptill 62) beat Pakistan 239 (Butt 59, Styris 3-23) by 64 runs

Man of the Match: Brendan McCullum

Shahid Afirid shone with both bat and ball as Pakistan took a 1-0 lead by beating New Zealand by a massive margin of 138 runs in the first ODI at Abu Dhabi Stadium. The all-rounder smashed a blistering 50-ball 70 and then took two for 46 in his 10 overs to lead Pakistan to a comfortable victory.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan got off to the worst possible start, losing two wickets with no runs on the board. Salman Butt’s comeback didn’t prove to be something to remember for the young left hander as he edged one from Shane Bond to wicket-keeper Brendan McCullum, leaving Pakistan at 0-1 in the first over.

Tim Southee bowled the second over of the innings and it was a maiden. Shane Bond then removed Pakistan skipper Younis Khan for a duck to leave Pakistan at 0-2 in the third over. Opener Khalid Latif and Mohammad Yousuf then consolidated the innings with a 57-run stand for the third wicket before Yousuf was run out for 30. Pakistan slipped further as youngster Umar Akmal was cleaned up by Daniel Vettori to leave them struggling at 75 for 4 in the 24^th over.

Shahid Afridi then joined Latif at the crease and both of them added 101 for the fifth wicket to bring Pakistan back into the game. Afridi, vice captain of the side, was instrumental in initially stepping up the run-rate with his bold hitting as he smashed three sixes and four boundaries during his 30th half-century.

Afridi hit Vettori for a six before smashing two off successive deliveries of Nathan McCullum. He hit Bond for a straight drive to reach his half-century off 36 deliveries, his first after 33 matches. Afridi’s last ODI fifty came against Zimbabwe at Multan last year.

Paceman Jacob Oram finally got Afridi off a miscued shot, caught at short fine-leg in the 39th over to break a damaging partnership. He made 70 off 50 balls which included 4 boundaries and 3 huge sixes. Latif followed, bowled by Vettori’s viscious arm ball two overs later. Latif hit only two boundaries during his 112-ball knock of 64.

Kamran Akmal then gave the innings final touches with a belligerent 43-ball 67 laced with four sixes and five boundaries as Pakistan ran rampage, collecting 107 in the last ten overs. Kamran’s innings was special as he made full use of the power-play, and added 86 off just 37 balls for the seventh wicket with Abdul Razzaq, who made a 20-ball 26. Pakistan eventually ended with a more than competitive total of 287-9 in their 50 overs.

Chasing 288 to win, New Zealand never got off the block as Umar Gul set the pace for Pakistan early by sending back Brendon McCullum (21) and Martin Guptill (five) early. Ross Taylor (zero) and Scott Styris (five) too, making a return to the national side, disappointed the Kiwis.

Opener Aaron Redmond (52) held one end up and with skipper Daniel Vettori (38) stitched a responsible 69-run stand before falling leg-before to Saeed Ajmal. An Afridi double blow off consecutive balls was the final nail in the coffin as Vettori and Nathan McCullum walked back with New Zealand tottering at 139-7. Razzaq then joined the party in the next over by snaring Jacob Oram (nine). New Zealand lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs within five overs.

New Zealand was eventually bowled out for a poultry 149 runs in 39.2 overs, giving Pakistan a 138 runs win. For Pakistan, all the bowlers chipped in with useful contributions with Gul, Razzaq, Afridi and Ajmal picking up 2 wickets each.

The three-match one-day series was relocated to Abu Dhabi after New Zealand refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 287 for 9 (Latif 64, Afridi 70, Kamran 67*) beat New Zealand 149 (Redmond 52, Vettori 38, Afridi 2-46) by 138 runs

Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi