Umar Akmal announced his arrival in the Test arena with an impressive century on debut as he and his brother Kamran hauled Pakistan out of the mire on day three of the first Test against New Zealand.

Chasing the Black Caps’ first innings total of 429, Pakistan were left reeling on 85 for five at University Oval in Dunedin after Chris Martin and Shane Bond had ripped through the top of the order.

But showing maturity beyond his 19 years, Umar Akmal sparked a stirring fight back as he brought up a maiden Test 50 in just 57 balls, including one sweeping six off Daniel Vettori, and continued to play his shots to reach three figures in 132 balls in the final session.

He showed no nerves whatsoever in the nineties, hitting Iain O’Brien for four then six, before his 16th boundary lifted him to 101 the very next ball.

Even his brother’s dismissal in the next over for 82 did not distract the teenager and he continued to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers until he holed out to Peter Fulton at deep backward point off Bond when on 129.

His 160-ball innings included 21 boundaries and two sixes.

Pakistan will resume on Friday on 307 for eight, 122 runs behind, after Umar and Kamran’s partnership of 176 runs ensured they avoided the follow on - something that was a distinct possibility after Bond had taken three wickets in 10 balls in his spell after lunch.

Playing in his first Test in two years, the 34-year-old showed just why he is one of the most feared bowlers in international cricket as he dismissed dangerman Mohammad Yousuf, Fawad Alam and Shoaib Malik in quick succession. (News sourced from Associated Press)