Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - The pitch remained a mystery and they could not remedy their slip catching woes outdoors -- but a weather-beaten Pakistan savoured one heart-warming development ahead of tomorrow's second cricket test at the Basin Reserve.

News of Shane Bond's latest injury reached the Pakistan camp yesterday afternoon, and although they were sympathetic today towards the New Zealand strike bowler's plight, it has undeniably given them a boost before their attempt to square the series.

Bond's 1cm-long abdominal muscle tear has eased the nerves among Pakistan's fidgety top order after the 34-year-old recreated his glory days in Dunedin last week with an eight-wicket, man-of-the-match-winning haul.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf described Bond as one of the best bowlers he had faced in his 83-test career in the aftermath of New Zealand's 32-run first test triumph at University Oval. Today he deferred to coach Intikhab Alam when asked what the quick bowler's absence would mean for his team.

"New Zealand will miss him dearly. It's bad luck, this is a very, very crucial test match," Intikhab said, before adding unconvincingly:

"I wouldn't say it's a relief, we have come to play cricket, it doesn't matter who you are playing against."

Bond tormented Pakistan's top three in both innings and twice had the measure of Umar Akmal, the teenage debutant who guided his side within range of a comeback victory.

The pitch, once the rain clears and the covers are removed, is expected to appear custom made for a bowler of Bond's pace and guile.

Instead Chris Martin will front the attack, a responsibility he has performed with distinction during Bond's regular absences. And Daryl Tuffey finally plays his first test in five years after being on the fringes of selection since the tour of Sri Lanka in August.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has adapted to life with Bond in rehabilitation but the latest setback is still demoralising given his virtuoso performance at University Oval.

"I'm pretty sad for him, we've grown accustomed to having Shane around and obviously his performance (in Dunedin) was outstanding.

"He basically won the first test on his own, he played a huge role in it and however this series goes, we're indebted to Shane."

Vettori flirted with risking Bond here in a bid to wrap up the three-match series. But sanity prevailed, with the decision to rest him for a planned return against Bangladesh in February the prelude to a fully-fledged tour by Australia to complete the summer.

"He's such a wonderful cricketer you want him to play all the time. He wants to bowl all the time too so it's hard to douse those competitive fires," Vettori said.

Tuffey treads an identical comeback trail to Bond after both returned from Indian Cricket League exile earlier this year through the limited overs side.

The tall right armer was close to selection in Colombo and Dunedin before Iain O'Brien was retained, but now the 31-year-old can contemplate sharing the down-wind role with Martin against one of his favourite opponents.

Pakistani batsmen supply 24 of Tuffey's 66 wickets in six tests at 26.50 up to 2003; he also had a decent refresher course in the Queenstown last month with two for 49 from 19 overs in the tour opener.

"He's pretty excited," Vettori said.

"The good thing about Daryl is every test team that's been named, he's been disappointed not to be in it. He's been close and he's been bowling well."

Tuffey has a penchant for securing early breakthroughs during his test and ODI career but Martin, with 170 career scalps, is seen as the dependable option.

The 34-year-old made his debut 12 months before Bond and has subsequently logged 51 caps to his Canterbury teammate's 18.

Martin's impact was overlooked during a dramatic final afternoon in Dunedin as Bond and O'Brien struck in unison. But Martin still instigated a key breakthrough when Yousuf could not avoid gloving a brute of a rising delivery, ending a potentially match-turning knock at 41.

Pakistan has confirmed Misbah-ul-Haq will join the middle order and also strengthen a wonky slips cordon. Other batting alterations are possible after a pitch inspection before the toss but the potent bowling attack of Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif Umar Gul and offspinner Saeed Ajmal will remain intact.

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