Kane Williamson made an unbeaten 94 and shared a 120-run partnership with Ross Taylor which lifted New Zealand into a strong position at stumps Saturday on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan.

Taylor made 70 and Williamson added a further 89 with Henry Nicholls who was 42 batting at stumps when New Zealand was 222/3.

Williamson came to the crease when only three balls had been bowled and remained for the next 86.3 overs, reshaping the New Zealand innings and changing the course of the first day.

Pakistan had been on top after winning the toss, bowling on a green pitch and after Shaheen Afridi removed New Zealand openers Tom Latham for 4 and Tom Blundell for 5.

Taylor had special cause to celebrate as he was making a record 438th international appearance across all formats, over-taking Daniel Vetorri’s record of 437.

“At the start of my career I was happy just to play one or two games and to have come this far is nice,” Taylor said.

“We’re happy to get through pretty unscathed: 222/3 after losing those early wickets we certainly would have taken at the start of the day.”

Brief scores: New Zealand 222/3 in 87 overs (K. Williamson 94 batting, H. Nicholls 70 batting; S Afridi 3/55) vs Pakistan..