Debutant Colin de Grandhomme stung Pakistan with three quick wickets as New Zealand cashed in on winning a crucial toss on day one of the shortened first cricket Test here today.
At lunch, Pakistan were 88-4 with Misbah-ul-Haq, captaining his side for the 50th time, on 15 and mounting a rescue mission with Asad Shafiq who is not out on 16.
With a green-tinged wicket and damp outfield -- after the first day was lost through rain -- both captains said they wanted to bowl first and it was New Zealand's Kane Williamson who had the good fortune to win the toss.
Despite expectations, however, the pitch did not hold many demons and with strike bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult struggling to maintain consistent lines there was little to unnerve the batsmen in the early overs.
But when Williamson called up all-rounder de Grandhomme as a surprise choice first-change bowler it produced a substantial breakthrough.
After 12 fruitless overs from the New Zealand bowlers, the Harare-born, former Zimbabwe under-19 representative, had a ball seam back on Azhar Ali who was bowled for 15 and Pakistan were 31-1.
Babar Azam, recalled for his second Test, helped Sami Aslam nudge the score through to 53 when New Zealand claimed three wickets for three runs in 18 deliveries.
Southee, who had opened with four consecutive maidens and had a strong appeal against Aslam turned down on review, changed ends for his second spell and immediately had the Pakistan opener caught behind for 19.
De Grandhomme followed with the wickets of Azam (seven) and Younis Khan (two) to end the morning session with three for 23 while Southee has one for eight off 10 overs.
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