NZ 170-5 at lunch on day 2, 2nd test vs. Pakistan

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand's rookie opener Jeet Raval took advantage of two dropped chances to post his second half century in as many tests as the Black Caps reached 170-5 in their first innings at lunch on Saturday; the second day of the second test against Pakistan.

Raval was twice dropped at first slip by Sami Aslam off Mohammad Amir before Mohammad Rizwan was moved into the position and held a chance off Imran Khan to end his innings at 55.

That matched his total in the first innings of the first test at Christchurch in which his scores of 55 and 36 not out helped New Zealand to a seven wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

He played a similar, stabilizing role at Seddon Park, batting through a first day on which only 21 overs were bowled because of rain.

Raval survived one easy catching chance on the first day when on four, and a second on Saturday when on 40, with Aslam the culprit on both occasions.

Raval's luck ran out when Imran found the outside edge of his bat and Rizwan provided a safe pair of hands.

At 77-2 after the first day, the balance of match was slightly in favor of New Zealand, which was sent in to bat in conditions which favored Pakistan's seamers. But at 170-5 at lunch, the balance had tipped slightly in favor of the tourists.

Ross Taylor who dashed to 29 from 20 balls on Friday had moved on to 37, including seven fours, when he was caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed from the bowling of Sohail Khan.

Raval fell to Imran when the score was 113-4 and Henry Nicholls (13) was caught by Sarfraz off Wahab Riaz at 119-5.

Colin de Grandhomme (37 not out) and B.J. Watling (10 not out) shared an unbroken 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket up to lunch.