New Zealand opener Tim McIntosh batted himself into form for next week's first test against Pakistan with an unbeaten century on the final day of a three-day match between the tourists and a New Zealand Invitation XI on Friday. The left-handed McIntosh scored 131 not out as the invitation side, which had trailed Pakistan by 52 runs on the first innings, reached 231 for two in its second innings before stumps were drawn with no result in prospect. McIntosh's New Zealand teammate Daniel Flynn made 56 in the second innings after being dismissed for 49 in the first and allrounder Grant Elliott, the home team captain, was left 22 not out. McIntosh, who made only 14 in the New Zealand XI's first innings, batted almost five hours Friday for an impressive century which included 16 fours. He will likely open the batting for New Zealand in the first test at Dunedin's University Oval from Tuesday. Flynn batted cautiously for more than three hours and stroked eight boundaries. Paceman Abdur Rauf took one for 11 from six overs for Pakistan to finish with five wickets from the match.
