Wellington, Dec 1 NZPA - It is no understatement to suggest Pakistani management hope Misbah-ul-Haq grasps his test cricket lifeline with both hands.

Even one hand would do as long as the 35-year-old ends up with the ball held safely above ground once it flies from the edge of a New Zealander's bat when the second test starts at the Basin Reserve here on Thursday.

Misbah was summoned from the domestic competition once Pakistan's slips cordon appeared unable to catch a cold in the chill of Dunedin during last week's first test.

Five chances were dropped, four at first slip by Imran Farhat. The costliest of the misses was first ball against Daniel Vettori in the first innings before the New Zealand captain went on to score 99, which proved to be a match-turning knock.

Misbah slept off the effects of jetlag yesterday, and trained for the first time today although batting, rather than slips catching, was his priority as rain confined both teams to indoor nets.

Misbah satisfied himself with an extra long bat, not that it will necessarily help him adapt to a dramatic climate change, and an unfamiliar batting surface.

He had the sun on his back and the pitches were flat back home, as well as in Bangladesh where he played five one-day games in the domestic premier league.

Misbah made 284 for his Khan Research Labs in the first-class competition a fortnight ago so he feels in reasonable nick although the temperatures will be down and the ball more likely to seam about at the Basin Reserve.

"That's always a problem for the Asian players because there's a bit more bounce and pace here so we have to just negotiate these things as a professional," he said.

"I saw the ball well today, I feel good. It's not been a problem to settle in."

Misbah has been unable to establish himself in the Pakistan middle order since his debut against New Zealand in Auckland in 2001. He was discarded for the subsequent matches in Christchurch and Hamilton and had to endure four years in test exile from 2003-07.

Despite passing 50 twice on July's three-test tour of Sri Lanka, he was originally omitted for this tour in favour of more youthful options.

The right-hander, who averages a respectable 37.86 from 15 tests, was placed on standby for absentee skipper Younis Khan and once Pakistan's top order wobbled twice in Dunedin -- and those catches went to ground -- he was assured on playing here.

Misbah will bat at five or six and who makes way will be confirmed tomorrow, with Farhat, Fawad Alam or Khurram Manzoor the candidates.

Pakistan have been spoilt in recent years with Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis a reliable duo in the slips. In Dunedin, Farhat, had debutant Umar Akmal outside him at second and the pair were not quite on the same wave length.

Misbah felt for Farhat.

"It's like batting, sometimes you have good form and you catch everything and when the form's not there it's a problem."

"It's a specialist position so the guy who fields more in the slips has more idea about that," said Misbah, who has spent eight years alongside his wicketkeeper.

He thought that experience might help him when he crouches in what should be a continuation of Dunedin's cold and blustery conditions.

"It might be an edge for me," he said.

Coach Intikhab Alam certainly hopes so.