N.Zealand-Pakistan first day washed out

CHRISTCHURCH: The opening day of the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan was washed out in Christchurch on Thursday.

Play was abandoned just after the scheduled tea adjournment with no sign of the sweeping showers easing.

However, fine weather is forecast for the remaining four days and the umpires are hopeful of making up much of the lost time.

Play on Friday will begin 30 minutes early at 10.30am (2130 GMT Thursday).

Pakistan are on a high coming into the Test after crushing the West Indies last month, while New Zealand are hoping for improvement after a disastrous tour of India.