Pakistan battle on

CRICKET: Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan played the innings of his life yesterday to lead his side to safety in the first Test against New Zealand.

Moin hit a glorious 137 and figured in a seventh wicket partnership with fast bowler Mohammad Sami of 152 on the fourth day.

His last Test hundred was in 1996 against England at Headingley. Yesterday's century scotched New Zealand's plans of forcing the follow-on and probably saved the match for the tourists.

To get a winner on the final day today, New Zealand, with an overnight lead of 104 after batting for two overs to be four without loss at stumps, would need to set Pakistan a target and then try to bowl them out.

Meanwhile, Paul Adams and Gary Kirsten have been recalled to the South Africa squad for the second and third Tests against West Indies.

The second Test starts in Durban on Friday, with the third Test in the four-match series scheduled for Cape Town from January 2nd. South Africa won the first Test by 189 runs.

Left-arm wrist spinner Adams replaces left-arm finger spinner Robin Peterson, while batsman Kirsten comes in for fast bowler Garnett Kruger.

Adams has played 43 Tests and taken 132 wickets at an average of 31.15 but he has struggled with a hand injury this season.

Kirsten withdrew from the first Test to be with his wife at the birth of the couple's first child.