New Zealand recovered to be 260 for seven at stumps on the opening day of the first cricket test against Paksitan in Hamilton after the visitors won the toss and surprised by electing to bowl.
Batsman Kane Williamson (44) and pace bowler Tim Southee (56) put on 83 runs in an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership when the Black Caps had slumped to 177 for 7 at Seddon Park on Friday.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq's decision looked smart when Tim McIntosh went early for five, but Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill batted well to go to lunch with the score 78 for 1.
McCullum looked well set but when he went for another big hit off Umar Gul, he skied the ball to deep backward point and was caught for 56.
Ross Taylor made only six of the day, while Jesse Ryder was unlucky to be run out for 22 - the bowler deflecting Martin Guptill's straight drive onto Ryder's stumps as he backed up.
Guptill made 50, Reece Young made 14 on his debut, while skipper Dan Vettori was out for a duck.
Pakistan's Abdul Rehman had the best bowling figures of the day with 3-51.
