A STRONG bowling performance has put New Zealand in a commanding position during day one of the second test against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Captain Daniel Vettori and Daryl Tuffey were the chief destroyers, taking five wickets between them to leave Pakistan reeling at 161 for six at stumps.

Vettori won the toss and sent Pakistan into bat after play was delayed  due to a soggy outfield.

The pitch was expected to seam early on following four days under the covers, so it was an easy decision for Vettori to make.

Pakistan’s opening batsmen started well, compiling a 60-run partnership before Salman Butt skied one off Iain O’Brien’s bowling in the 32nd over.

That sparked a mini collapse, with Imran Farhat and Muhammed Yousef both falling in quick succession to leave the visitors at 66 for three.

Umar Akmal and recalled veteran Misbah Ul Haq steadied the ship but, when Umar fell with the score at 119, the Pakistani fire dimmed considerably.

Umar, the star of the first test where he scored 129 and 75 on debut, made 46 and looked a class act before being undone by a cracking ball from Tuffey.

Shoiab Malik fell cheaply four overs later, and was followed soon after by Ul Haq.

The players headed for an early shower at 6.45pm after bad light stopped play.

Tuffey, who took two for 32 off 16 overs in his first test since 2004, says the team were “excited to have got six wickets” in the time they were on the park and hope to restrict Pakistan to fewer than 200 runs in their first innings.

Kamran Akmal (21) and Muhammed Aamer (2) will resume at the crease tomorrow.

Day two begins at 11.30am, with New Zealand hoping to quickly knock over the remaining batsmen.