Cricket: Tourists face untimely loss

Pakistan's batsmen showed more spine but were still staring an untimely defeat from New Zealand A in the face in their three-day cricket match in Christchurch yesterday.

The tourists, just four days out from the first test, trailed NZA by 70 runs with six second-innings wickets in hand after the second day at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

NZA claimed a healthy first-innings lead of 178, dismissing Pakistan for 100 before replying with 278 thanks to a punishing 88 off 113 balls from captain Jacob Oram.

Pakistan were 108 for four at the close.

- NZPA