Wellington, Jan 15: Pakistan were on top in the second Test against New Zealand, as the home team scrambled to 246-6 at the close of play on the first day at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

Ross Taylor starred for New Zealand by scoring 78 off 168 balls, while Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal held five catches as the momentum kept swinging throughout the day.

It could have been far worse for the Black Caps, who were 180 for six following Taylor’s dismissal, but captain Daniel Vettori (38 not out) and wicketkeeper Reece Young (28 not out) forged an unbroken 66-run partnership to guide the team to a better position.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand had chosen to bat after Vettori won the toss.

The hosts, however, began disastrously as Brendon McCullum was dismissed by fast bowler Umar Gul for two.

Kane Williamson was the only other wicket to fall in the first session and had looked comfortable moving to 21 before he was caught by Akmal off Gul.

Fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed scalped two wickets off successive balls soon after lunch, when he had Martin Guptil (29) and Jesse Ryder (0) caught by Akmal.

It was Ryder’s second successive golden duck after being dismissed first ball in New Zealand’s second innings in the Hamilton Test.

All-rounder James Franklin, playing his first Test since April 2009, looked at ease at the crease, but was strangled out down the leg side by spinner Abdur Rehman (1-53) for 33, Stuff. co. nz reports.

Gul ended the day with figures of 2-53 from 21 overs, while Ahmed claimed 2-63 from 17 overs.