Cricket: Kyle Jamieson puts Black Caps on top on day one against Pakistan after brutal ball of the summer

Kyle Jamieson set an early score for ball of the year and launched New Zealand into a dominant position on day one of Test 2 against Pakistan.

New Zealand won the toss and inserted Pakistan into a wicket that was expected to be helpful in closing the bowling alley.

However, Pakistan bounced back from losing an early wicket to settle comfortably at 66-1 when Jamieson, who used to call Hagley Oval his homeland, stepped in.

He had Abid Ali caught on the third slip by Tim Southee for 25, then shortly thereafter Haris Sohail (1) failed to put a long ball on the stump in time, instead directing it in the face of Henry Nicholls in the ravine.

Jamieson’s resistance piece was to follow. Bowling off Fawad Alam, who had scored a brilliant century with his back to the wall at Mt Maunganui, Jamieson used his 2.03m frame to extract a wicked bounce from a good length.

All Fawad could do was throw his hands in front of his face and throw the ball to BJ Watling. It was as close to unplayable as you can get.

Previously, Tim Southee had pitched a beauty himself, swinging the ball late into the out-of-form opener Shan Masood and catching him at LBW for his second straight drop.

Pakistan went to lunch at 88-4, thanks in large part to a graceful undefeated 52 from their best player, Azhar Ali.

Heavy rain set in during the lunch break and with more rain forecast, play could be limited for the final two sessions.

New Zealand needs to win the event for a chance to advance to the final of the World Trials Championship at Lord’s in June. Jamieson has put them on the right track.