Bond sneaks Kiwis home in thriller

Shane Bond savours Khurram Manzoor's wicket, one of eight for him in New Zealand's tense 32-run win in Dunedin

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A match-winning performance from fast bowler Shane Bond propelled New Zealand to a tense 32-run win over Pakistan in the first Test in Dunedin.

Playing in his first Test for more than two years after a stint in the rebel Indian Cricket League, Bond took 3-46 on the final day at the University Oval to add to his first-innings five-wicket haul as the Black Caps battled to a first Test victory since defeating Bangladesh in Chittagong in October 2008.

The 34-year-old ended the match with figures of 8-153, which included the crucial wickets of Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal in the first innings and the match-turning wicket of Umar in Pakistan’s second-innings pursuit of 251.

Umar’s 71-run stand with captain Yousuf brought Pakistan back from the brink after the early loss of wickets and, once Yousuf departed for 41 in the middle session, Umar and Shoaib Malik steadily chipped away at the target.

But New Zealand's bowlers roused themselves for one last effort.

Pakistan’s hopes of winning had looked forlorn after Bond had struck twice to reduce them to 53 for three at lunch.

Bond wasted little time with the new ball in hand, dismissing Khurram Manzoor for four when he edged it behind and Brendon McCullum made a brilliant diving one-handed catch.

Chris Martin claimed Imran Farhat six balls later when the opener prodded one towards Tim McIntosh who went low to take the catch at second slip.

Bond struck again, forcing Fawad Alam to balloon one to Peter Fulton at silly mid-on, and New Zealand were in the driving seat.

But Yousuf and Umar brought some much-needed stability to the Pakistan innings and by lunch the skipper had moved to 29 not out and the 19-year-old debutant had scored a patient 15 off 62 balls.

After the interval he showed a bit more of his natural attacking ability, notching four boundaries and slog sweeping Vettori for six.

Umar brought up his fifty, from 112 balls, with a single off the New Zealand skipper just after the drinks break in the middle session.

When Umar Akmal, who made 75, shared in stands of 71 and 76, Pakistan looked favourites to succeed in their run chase

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Four overs later Malik had a lucky escape on six when Grant Elliott failed to hold on to a caught and bowled chance he should have taken.

At that stage Pakistan were 118 for four, and the right-hander made the most of his second life adding 26 more runs, before the hard-working O’Brien induced the edge to McCullum to claim his first scalp of the match.

By tea Umar was unbeaten on 66 with his elder sibling four not out.

But the final session belonged to New Zealand with Bond snaring Umar, then Kamran being trapped lbw by O’Brien, which was confirmed by the decision review system.

Umar Gul was caught by Vettori (2-51) at mid-off in O’Brien’s next over. Asif was next to go, caught by Taylor at first slip off Vettori, before the New Zealand skipper caught and bowled Mohammad Aamer (15) to seal the win.

O’Brien finished the innings with 3-63, while Martin took 2-45 to go with his 3-63 from the first innings.

At the start of the day, Gul (3-41) claimed the last two wickets to dismiss New Zealand for 153 in their second innings to set up the target of 251.

O'Brien failed to add to his tally of four when he was trapped leg before wicket and Grant Elliott followed two overs later for 25, edging Gul to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal. Martin finished unbeaten on one.