CHANGES are likely to be made to New Zealand’s batting line up before the third test against Pakistan in Napier on Friday, says Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori.

His words come after Pakistan emphatically beat New Zealand by 141 runs in the second test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington to level the three-match series.

With the exception of Ross Taylor, who top scored with 97, Vettori hinted the selectors may tinker with the top six after New Zealand folded to be all out for 251 halfway through day four.

“I think there is going to be a couple of guys who are going to come under scrutiny,” he says.

Despite Taylor’s defiant, attacking innings, the Black Caps batsmen never managed to string together any match-winning partnerships.

Chasing 405 for victory, New Zealand resumed play on 70-3, but made a poor start as they lost Peter Fulton and Grant Elliot early in the day.

Taylor (left) took matters into his own hands, smashing five sixes in an aggressive display before being caught behind off the bowling of Mohammed Aamer three short of his century.

Vettori (40) and the retiring Iain O’Brien were the only other batsmen to make telling contributions, with the latter reaching a highest test score of 31 in his penultimate match.

Returning Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Asif was the chief destroyer, claiming five wickets in the second innings to bring his overall match tally to to nine.

He finished with figures of nine for 107 to earn the man-of -the-match award.

Pakistan captain Mohammed Yousuf praised his bowlers and was thrilled to win the match given it was a difficult wicket to bat on.

“I’m very thankful to win here,” he says.

The teams now head to MacLean Park – which produces a typically good batting surface, but has seen many matches end in draws - for the series decider.