McCullum double-century torments Pakistan

NZC XI 342 for 4 (McCullum 206, McIntosh 51) v Pakistanis
Scorecard

Brendon McCullum scored a blistering double-century as New Zealand Cricket XI dominated the opening day of the three-day tour game against the Pakistanis at Cobham Oval (New) in Whangarei. It was his first match since missing much of the HRV Cup and the Twenty20s against Pakistan due to a back problem.

The Pakistani bowlers were put to the sword as McCullum and Tim McIntosh put on 162 for the first wicket, after New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat. McCullum was the aggressor, scoring at close to a run a ball, as the Pakistani opening bowlers, Sohail Tanvir and Tanvir Ahmed struggled to contain him. Tanvir was particularly expensive, going at more than six runs an over in his 13 overs. "We [McCullum and McIntosh] are still feeling out our partnership," McCullum, who has moved up the order to opener in Tests from the tour of India late last year, said. "We've had a couple of good ones, a couple not so good, so any opportunity to bank up a partnership at the top of the order has to be taken."

The Pakistanis finally had some success when Abdur Rehman dismissed McIntosh for 51. However McCullum then combined with BJ Watling to add 86 for second wicket to further torment the Pakistani bowlers. McCullum was finally dismissed in the 82nd over by Umar Gul after he made 206 off 218 balls.

After a day in which not much went his side's way, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said: ""It was hard work, a hard day for the bowlers, but that's how it goes in test cricket. So it was good preparation." New Zealand ended the day on 342 for 4 with James Franklin and Dean Brownlie at the crease.