Opener Jeet Raval has the chance for some solid Test preparation in New Zealand A's final tour match against Pakistan A in Abu Dhabi.
Opener Jeet Raval has quickly come into his own. Photo: Photosport
At the halfway point of the four-day fixture, New Zealand A are 141 for two, replying to Pakistan's 427 for eight declared.
Raval, captaining New Zealand A, is on 67 off 132 balls, with Rachin Ravindra on eight.
Lefthander Raval, expected to open the innings when the Test series against Pakistan starts at the same location on November 16, rode his luck in the middle.
He was dropped three times, but dug in, cashed in on his good fortune, and now has the chance for further valuable time in the middle when the third day starts.
Raval, who averages 38.11 in his 11 tests, has two test fifties against Pakistan in his two matches against them.
Along with Will Young, he shared a 68-run opening stand, then put on a further 58 with Tim Seifert for the second wicket.
Young was bowled by a good delivery from seamer Taj Wali while Seifert touched a catch to the wicketkeeper off left arm spinner Mohammad Asghar.
Earlier Pakistan A pushed on from their overnight 280 for four.
Usman Salahuddin became the second centurymaker of the innings, getting to 125, with Saad Ali finally out for 144, their stand worth 230, but the declaration came later in the day than New Zealand might have hoped.
The first four-day match was drawn in Dubai and their chances of forcing a win to end the tour on a strong note are slim.
However, with the pitch still good, albeit offering a touch more help to the spinners than a day ago, they are determined to ensure they don't head home with a loss as their final memory of the trip.
There were two wickets apiece for left arm spinner Ravindra - his first in first-class cricket - and Tom Bruce while Neil Wagner warmed up for the first test by taking three for 60.
