New Zealand surrendered a rare position of dominance as costly misjudgments and a batting collapse provided Pakistan with the chance to claim the first cricket test at University Oval.

Shane Bond and Umar Akmal - the ageing but indefatigable warrior and the precocious teenager.

Captain becomes eighth New Zealand test player to be dismissed just one run short of a century

He lost his mojo and then the vice-captaincy but there was no place like home for Brendon McCullum yesterday.

If Pakistan's batsmen can do what Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum did yesterday it might turn into tough grind all round.

Deans was supposed to raise the bar, not drop it into a big vat of porridge.

Two former casualties of the NZ Cricket coaching shake-up are grooming a vulnerable batting line-up for tomorrow's first test against Pakistan.

Of all the players to put an injury scare through New Zealand's first test preparations, you would least want it to be the captain.

Jesse Ryder faced a misconduct charge on his return from South Africa, the latest chapter in a chequered two-year international career.

New Zealand should start favourites for their three-test series against Pakistan, but dangers lurk for the Black Caps, all the same.