The Black Caps chase for victory in the third one-day cricket international against Pakistan limped to a failed 43-run defeat.

The godfather of the Taleban, one of Pakistan's most prominent retired spies, has died of a heart attack in the wilds of Waziristan while held captive by Islamist militants he helped spawn.

New Zealand will need plenty to go their way if they are to square their test series with Pakistan over the next 48 hours.

The job is all in front of New Zealand if they want to square their two-test series with Pakistan.

Waqar Younis smiles as if he has heard the question before, the one about the start of a new era for Pakistani cricket.

Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul-Haq has offered a clue as to why the Black Caps' batting might have failed so abjectly.

The opening test between NZ and Pakistan probably reflects what is to be expected from a series involving the sixth and eighth best teams in the world.

By the time Pakistan head away from this country, New Zealand audiences will have come to know them well.

The second step of Brendon McCullum's development as a test opener begins in Hamilton tomorrow.

Brendon McCullum found form ahead of the first test against Pakistan after scoring a double century against the tourists.

Pakistan have put some pep into their New Zealand tour, spectacularly pole-axing the hosts last night.