HAMILTON (New Zealand), Dec 20: Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori shared a record partnership as New Zealand piled up a huge first innings total of 563 on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Pakistan, in reply, were 118 for two at the close with Yasir Hameed 36 not out and Yousuf Youhana unbeaten on 24 after Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar had put on a quickfire 47 for the first wicket.

Imran hit four fours before he was caught behind by Robbie Hart off Jacob Oram for 20. Taufiq thumped five fours in his 27 before he mistimed a pull off Daryl Tuffey and skied the ball to Ian Butler at short mid-wicket with the total on 55.

Earlier, Fleming made 192 and Vettori 137 not out for the home team.

Their partnership of 125 was a New Zealand record for the eighth wicket against Pakistan, beating Bryan Yuile and Dayle Hadlee’s stand of 100 in Karachi in 1969.

Skipper Fleming’s innings took 478 minutes and he hit 31 fours. He figured in three century partnerships and never looked in danger until he was trapped lbw by Umar Gul.

Vettori registered his first Test century, batting for 163 minutes and cracking 23 fours and a six.

“On my home ground makes it a bit special and my parents were here today, so that was nice,” said the 24-year-old, whose previous highest Test score was 90.

“I’ve worked hard on my batting and I’ve sort of modelled myself on Flem (Fleming).

“I enjoy batting with him and with him playing so well, it gave me confidence at the other end.”

Vettori and Tuffey, who also scored a Test-best 35, put on a New Zealand record ninth-wicket partnership against Pakistan of 99, surpassing Mark Burgess and Bob Cunis’s stand of 96 in Dacca in 1969.

“When Daryl came in at number 10 I think they thought it was almost all over because you don’t expect a number 10 to hang around much,” said Vettori.

“But he batted really well and gave me the confidence to think I could get to the century.”

Vettori’s innings was all power but he did enjoy two let-offs. He hit Shabbir Ahmed back past the paceman at catchable height on 83 and escaped another caught and bowled attempt by the same bowler when he was on 89.

Fleming’s sixth Test century was also his second highest Test score, while Vettori’s maiden century in his 49th Test was among the top 10 highest scores of all number nine Test batsmen.

Playing on his home ground at Westpac Park, Vettori brought up his 100 on the first ball after drinks in the afternoon session when he cover drove Mohammad Sami to the boundary.

For Pakistan it was a bowling performance to forget. The New Zealand score was the highest first innings against a Pakistan side after they won the toss and the extras were a record high for a New Zealand innings.

The one leading light was Shabbir Ahmed who ended with a thoroughly deserved five-wicket haul and was by far the most economical of the bowlers.

Sami, who went into the match as the most experienced frontline bowler following the late withdrawal of the injured Shoaib Akhtar, gifted 15 no balls from his 27 overs, and when the new ball was taken he was removed from the attack after just three overs.

But Sami was not the only wayward bowler. Pakistan’s opening batsmen Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar set out at a run-a-ball pace and saw off New Zealand quick Ian Butler after he yielded 29 runs in just three overs.

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