Mohammad Hafeez scored a century on the first day of the third test match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The right hander had not played in the last game in Dubai because of being injured and he was missed at the top of the order as his replacement Taufeeq Umar failed in both the innings.

Hafeez is unbeaten at the crease and will resume his innings tomorrow. He has the chance to get his first double hundred in test cricket. He is 178 not out at the moment.

Hafeez’s bowling action has recently been reported by the ICC elite panel umpires and he will have to get his action cleared in about three weeks’ time to continue bowling in international cricket. But, that setback hasn’t fazed him it seems. He looked in a good frame of mind while batting and was ruthless in his approach especially when he was up against the spinners.

Hafeez was quick in picking the flight and getting it lofted straight down the ground. He has so far hit three sixes and more than 20 fours,

The Pakistan team management has already made it clear that Hafeez would bowl in this match despite his action being reported.

Earlier, it was understood that even if Hafeez gets into the XI, he would play as a specialist batsman, but, that’s not going to be the case.

As far as Pakistan’s overall score on Day 1 is concerned, it was 281 for 3 at the stumps.

The run machine Younus Khan, surprisingly, couldn’t score heavily, probably for the first time in the last few months for Pakistan.

The captain Misbah-ul-Haq is alongside Hafeez. He is playing at the score of 38 and it’s important for him to carry on till lunch on Day 2 to make sure Pakistan posts a match winning total on the board.