The decision review system (DRS) was the major talking point at the end of a rain-shortened first day's play in the second test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Hamilton on Friday following the dismissal of the home side's captain Kane Williamson.

New Zealand reached 77 for 2 before the teams had to abandon play due to rain. The team only managed to bat for 21 overs before play was halted for the day.

Pakistan won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions with a green pitch and heavy cloud hovering overhead.

Apart from an impressive opening spell from Mohammad Amir, the visitors looked to have squandered the best of Friday's bowler-friendly conditions.

The teams took an early lunch recess with Jeet Raval and Ross Taylor on the field after the early loss of Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. Three hours later, the umpires stopped play for the day.

Taylor, who is scheduled to undergo surgery at the end of the Test to remove a growth in his left eye, looked untroubled as he hit six boundaries in his unbeaten 20-ball 29.

Raval was dropped off the third delivery he faced but otherwise looked composed as he continued the good form from his maiden Test last week by getting to 35.

In his opening over, unfortunate Amir had Raval dropped at first slip by Sami Aslam, but then made up for it by bagging the dismissal of Latham for a golden duck.

But it was the controversial dismissal of New Zealand captain Williamson that proved the main talking point at Seddon Park after he was given out for 13 after a review.

The game will resume half-an-hour early at 10:30am local time on Saturday, Nov 26.