Akmal makes instant impression

Umar Akmal marks his first Test appearance with a wonderful counter-attacking century. Brother Kamran looks on proudly

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Umar Akmal announced his arrival on the Test arena with an impressive debut century as he and his brother Kamran hauled Pakistan out of the mire on day three of the first Test against New Zealand.

Chasing the Black Caps’ first-innings total of 429, Pakistan were reeling on 85 for five at the University Oval in Dunedin after Chris Martin and Shane Bond ripped through the top order.

But, showing a maturity beyond his 19 years, Umar Akmal sparked a stirring fightback as he brought up his fifty in just 57 balls, including one swept six off Daniel Vettori, and continued to play his shots to reach three figures off 132 deliveries in the final session.

He showed no nerves in the nineties, hitting Iain O’Brien for four then six, before his 16th four brought up the landmark off the next ball.

Even his brother’s departure in the following over for 82 did not distract the teenager, who continued to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers until he holed out to Peter Fulton at deep backward point off Bond for 129. His 160-ball innings included 21 fours and two sixes.

Pakistan will resume tomorrow on 307 for eight, 122 behind, after Umar and Kamran’s partnership of 176 for the sixth wicket ensured they avoided the follow-on, which was a distinct possibility after New Zealand made significant early inroads.

Martin made the early breakthrough, removing openers Khurram Manzoor and Imran Farhat before lunch, and Bond took three wickets in 10 balls after the interval to underline their dominance.

Shane Bond catches Mohammad Yousuf in his follow-through, one of four wickets for the bowler on his return to Test cricket

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Making his first Test appearance for two years following a ban for playing in the rebel Indian Cricket League, the 34-year-old served a reminder of his threat by dismissing dangerman Mohammad Yousuf, Fawad Alam and Shoaib Malik in quick succession.

Yousuf was superbly caught and bowled - low in Bond’s follow-through - Alam gloved a short delivery to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum and Malik played on to leave Pakistan in serious trouble.

The Akmal brothers refused to let the situation deter them from playing their shots, although Umar had a couple of let-offs on 15.

First, a short delivery from Bond ballooned off the bat only to fall in front of the slip cordon, and two balls later Daniel Flynn could not hold a difficult chance at gully.

Umar made New Zealand pay as he went to 50, while Kamran brought up his 10th Test half-century in the final session - off a more sedate 89 balls - and appeared set to follow his brother to three figures until charging Vettori and edging to Ross Taylor at slip.

Eight overs later Umar was trudging off, and Umar Gul soon followed, trapped lbw after an unsuccessful review of Simon Taufel’s decision.

Bond ended the day with four wickets, while Martin and Vettori claimed two scalps apiece.

Earlier, New Zealand added just 25 to their overnight total of 404 for eight, Mohammad Asif finding Bond’s edge to finish with 4-108 and Saeed Ajmal pinning Martin lbw.