Captain Daniel Vettori top-scored with an unbeaten 100, his fifth Test century and third of the year as New Zealand reached 6-346 at stumps on the second day of the Test against Pakistan at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday, holding an overall lead of 123.

Vettori who has developed into a leading batsman in the New Zealand line up since taking over the reigns hit nine fours and a six in his 127 ball stay at the crease. Just before reaching his fifth hundred Vettori had a life when spinner Kaneria dropped him off his own bowling.

Earlier when Daniel Flynn was out caught behind by Kamran Akmal off Danesh Kaneria for 5, New Zealand total also looked a tentative 145 for 5 in reply to the Pakistan total of 223 all out. However deputy skipper Brendon McCullum, with 89 halted the rot along with skipper Vettori adding a valuable 176 runs for the sixth wicket before McCullum became the only victim of Pakistani fast bowler Umer Gul for the day. McCullum the more aggressive of the two, hit eleven fours and a six in his 103 ball inning.

The early New Zealand batting was held together by opener Tim McIntosh who occupied the crease for 266 minutes faced 187 balls to compile his 74 runs which included eight fours.

At close of play Daryl Tuffey was the other not out batsmen on 13. For Pakistan veteran leg spinner Danish Kaneria was the leading bowler with figures of four for 119 from 37 overs while fast bowlers Mohammed Asif and Umer Gul had a wicket each.