NAPIER: Pakistan openers Imran Farhat and Salman Butt fired a century partnership to keep their series hopes alive in the third Test against New Zealand here today.

Resuming the third day on 346-6, New Zealand opened up a first-innings lead of 248 with the help of Daryl Tuffey's Test best 80 not out. Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria ended up with figures of 7-168. But Farhat, who starred in Pakistan's first innings of 223, made 55 and Butt 66 as the tourists reached 128-0 by the stumps.

With the three-match series finely poised at 1-1, Pakistan needed a good start to their second innings after their first innings collapse. And although they are still 120 runs behind, the efforts of Farhat and Butt have ensured a fascinating final two days.

In the morning session, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and Tuffey guided the hosts to 471. Tuffey was dropped early on by Gul but brought up the 50 partnership when he cut Kaneria for four while Vettori escaped a leg before wicket appeal -- Pakistan unable to call for a review having used up their allocation the previous day -- before falling to Umar Akmal's stunning catch for 134.

Tim Southee was dismissed for a duck before Tuffey brought up his maiden Test half-century with a four through the covers off Mohammad Asif. Iain O'Brien was neatly stumped by Kamran Akmal for 19 just after lunch, having put on 62 with Tuffey, and the innings ended with Chris Martin going for a four-ball duck, given leg before wicket to Kaneria.

Farhat and Butt then built a strong foundation for hosts, with the former bringing up the 50 stand with his fourth boundary while McCullum fumbled a ball onto the fielders' helmet to concede a five-run penalty. He reached 50 from 126 balls while his partner, who edged O'Brien just short of Ross Taylor at slip, took 134 balls to make his half-century.