Opener Ahmed Shehzad hit a brilliant undefeated ton to steer Pakistan to 269-1 at close on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi earlier today
Shehzad was 126 not out for his third Test hundred — all made this year — but fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez missed his by four runs as New Zealand’s pace-cum spin attack toiled hard on an unresponsive pitch at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 46, having added 91 for the unbroken second wicket stand with Shehzad.
It was another batting domination by Pakistan after Brendon McCullum called wrongly at the toss and his counterpart Misbah-ul Haq took no time in opting to bat, as he did in the 356-run mauling of Australia in the second Test at the same venue last week.
Shehzad ensured he did not miss the three-figure mark, taking a single off seamer Jimmy Neesham to reach his hundred off 221 balls with 12 boundaries.
