Pakistan, New Zealand draw the second Test

Hosts end day five on 196-5 with 65 runs required for victory

KARACHI: Pakistan have made three changes in their winning combination against New Zealand in the second Test of the series where they lead 1-0.

Shan Masood and Taufeeq Umar are in for injured Ahmed Shehzad and Muhammad Hafeez while Imran Khan has been rested which gives way to Ehsan Adil to help Rahat Ali in the fast bowling department.

New Zealand have brought in an unchanged team for the second Test.

Pakistan lost the toss and New Zealand decided to bat first.





Match drawn, Pakistan lead series 1-0

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum: "It was a very good Test match. Both teams came out with the right result. Credit to Pakistan for taking it down to the wire. The toss was really important. We followed the blueprint that Pakistan have been using. We played a brand of cricket which allowed us to a position where we could have won the Test match. I am proud of the boys since we can take the confidence from this match. Bowlers were outstanding throughout the match. To execute your plans in conditions like this, I was pretty delighted. We are a pretty young team and the confidence from this match is going to serve us well."

Man-of-the-match Ross Taylor:  "I was pretty rusty in the first Test. So it was quite nice to spend some time on the crease and score a century. It was a good Test. Pakistan spinners bowled very well and put us under a lot of pressure. When you play on a pitch like that, there will always be a ball with your number, so you got to keep scoring."

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq: "I am a little bit disappointed. We could have done better. The major difference was the dropped chances. Things could have been different had we taken those catches. We were planning to chase it down, bat normally till 40-45 overs and then promote Sarfraz but we lost quick wickets in the middle. Sarfraz is in the form of his life, his confidence is increasing day by day. The way he played, you could never say that it was a difficult pitch. He could give us more winning chances in the future. And it was just second series for Yasir Shah and it's good for us that he is improving. Their spinners took two wickets on the last day but Yasir took five. Full marks to NZ. They really improved after the first game. They put us under pressure with the bowling. Sometimes you are not thinking and you get centuries and sometimes you get out when you are in good form. Its part of the game."

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06:15pm: Pak 196-5, need 65 runs

Last six overs only produced 27 runs. Players start shaking their hands. It is a draw. It was a boring Test for the first three days but it gained pace Sarfraz's heroic century and Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar's bowling partnership. Pakistan could have won this Test too but they went for a draw and they got what they wanted. Comments and quotes from the players will follow shortly. Thank you for joining us live for five days of this Test.

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06:00pm: Pak 169-5, need 92 runs

Sodhi bowls the 61st over for just one run. The match is nearly dead now. No chance of a result until some one pulls off a miracle!

Craig continues. Asad Shafiq hits him for a four on the first ball of the 60th over. Six runs of the over.

Ish Sodhi to bowl the 59th over. Sarfraz Ahmed hits him for two consecutive boundaries on the second and third ball of the over. 10 runs of the over. Are they going for it now?

Mark Craig bowls the 58th over. Five runs courtesy a boundary by Asad Shafiq on the fourth ball.

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05:45pm: Pak 149-5, need 112 runs

Southee bowls a maiden 57th over to Asad Shafiq and that is drinks!

Mark Craig continues with the 56th over. OUT! Younus Khan comes forward to play the shot and the ball takes an odd bounce. He clips it with his gloves and Ross Taylor takes an easy catch. Younus departs on 44. This might turn the match around. Sarfraz Ahmed, the hero for Pakistan in the first innings, is out there on the pitch now. Pakistan are surely going for a draw here now. Or is there a twist in the match?

Southee starts the 55th over with a four hit by Younus Khan. Four more byes on the fourth ball. Nine of the over.

PHOTO: AFP

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05:30pm: Pak 124-4, need 137 runs

Mark Craig bowls Asad Shafiq in the 54th over. Asad hits him for two boundaries on the fourth and fifth ball. One towards cover and the other over mid-on fielder. Eight of the over.

Southee is brought back. He goes for one run in the 53rd over.

Boult bowls a maiden 52nd over to Younus Khan.

Sodhi bowls the 51st over for seven runs. Four of them byes.

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05:15pm: Pak 124-4, need 137 runs

FIFTY up, of the overs. Boult brought on to bowl the 50th. Just one of the over. Younus 36*, Asad 14*.

Sodhi bowls a maiden 49th over to Asad Shafiq.

Neesham with the 48th over. Just one run of it.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 47th over. Younus Khan seems to have some other plan. He hits Ish for a four on the last ball of the over. Six of the over.

James Neesham is in for the 46th over and its a maiden bowled to Asad Shafiq. This shows Pakistan's intent of a playing safe for a draw.

PHOTO: AFP

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Play resumes after tea on day five

04:55pm: Pak 114-4, need 147 runs

So it has come down to this last session of the fifth day. Pakistan can win this, so can New Zealand and we have the chances of a draw as well. Bear the suspense of these last 90 minutes with us! Corey Anderson bowls the 45th over to Asad Shafiq and goes for two runs in the over.

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Tea on day five

04:32pm: Pak 114-4, need 147 runs

Mark Craig bowls the 44th and the last over before lunch. Younus Khan smashes him for a six on the second ball of the over. Pakistan have 28 overs to score a meager 147 runs. Will they go for a win or is this going to be another defensive-approach-struck-draw for Pakistan?

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04:30pm: Pak 108-4, need 153 runs

Anderson bowls the 43rd over. Just two runs of the over.

Mark Craig continues. Younus Khan hits him for a SIX on the last ball of the 42nd over. Nine of the over.

A bowling change. Corey Anderson is in to bowl the 41st over with BJ Watling up on the wicket. He bowls a maiden to Younus Khan (16*).

PHOTO: AFP

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04:20pm: Pak 97-4, need 164 runs

Tim Southee to bowl the 40th over. Just one of the over. Younus 16*, Asad 8*.

Craig with his off-breaks in the 39th over. SIX! Younus walks forwards places it over long-on and doesn't even look at it. He knows it has gone out of the park. Seven runs of the over.

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04:10pm: Pak 89-4, need 172 runs

Another change. Tim Southee is in to replace Boult for the 38th over. Just four runs of the over. 34 over remaining in the day.

Mark Craig comes in to bowl. Just three runs of his 37th over.

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04:00pm: Pak 82-4, need 179runs

Boult goes for two in the 36th over.

Sodhi is hit for a four by Asad Shafiq on the fourth ball of the 35th over. Only four of the over.

Boult bowls a maiden 34th over to Younus Khan.

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03:50pm: Pak 76-4, need 185 runs

Sodhi bowls the 33rd over for just one leg bye.

OUT! The skipper is caught behind on nought on the fifth ball of the 32nd over. Misbahul Haq edges one to BJ Watling. Trent Boult strikes again. Reverse swing is doing the job for NZ. Pakistan in deep trouble here as Asad Shafiq walks in. Three known batsmen, Younus, Asad and Sarfraz left to save the day for Pakistan.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 31st over for two runs.

PHOTO: FILE/AFP

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03:40pm: Pak 73-3, need 188 runs

Trent Boult is brought back into the attack for the 30th over. OUT! Boult strikes. A full-length delivery hits Shan Masood (40) on the back foot. Umpire raises his finger. Shan reviews after discussing it with Younus Khan. Its plum! Pakistan lose their third wicket and Skipper Misbahul Haq is in. Pakistan have their two most experienced batsmen on the crease now.

Sodhi bowls the 29th over for three runs.

Craig accounts for Azhar Ali on the third ball of the 28th over. Azhar was serves a low full-toss which he smashed right into the hands of James Neesham at cover. An in-form man goes for Pakistan.

Sodhi hit for a six on the third ball of the 27th over by Shan Masood. Only six of the over.

Craig gives three runs in the 26th over.

Sodhi give away just one run in the 25th over.

Craig goes for one run in the 24th over.

Ish Sodhi bowls a maiden 23rd over.

PHOTO: AFP

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03:00pm: Pak 59-1, need 202 runs

Shan Masood step out and hits Mark Craig for a SIX on the fourth ball of the 22nd over. Pakistan dealing in boundaries here. Just the six of the over.

Another boundary hit by Azhar Ali off Sodhi on the last ball of the 21st over. Five runs of the over.

Finally a boundary by Azhar Ali off Southee on the second ball of the 20th over. Just these four runs of the over.

Sodhi goes for two runs in the 19th over.

Southee bowls a maiden 18th over.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 17th over for just one run.

Tim Southee comes in to bowl the 16th over. One run of the over.

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Play resumes after lunch on day five

02:20pm: Pak 32-1, need 229 runs

Shan Masood will face Ish Sodhi in the first over (15th) after lunch. He goes for one run.

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Lunch on day five

01:30pm: Pak 32-1, need 229 runs

Mark Craig bowls a maiden 14th over and Pakistan go into lunch with Taufeeq Umar already back in the hud. Misbah will be telling his batsman to stay strong and try and win the match to seal off the series. NZ require nine more wickets to level the series. Have NZ put enough on the board to defend? We will see that in the second session. Till then, bon appetit!

Ish Sodhi bowls the 13th over and goes for only one run.

Mark Craig bowls the 12th over and gives away only one run too.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 11th over for just one run.

PHOTO: AFP

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01:20pm: Pak 29-1, need 232 runs

Mark Craig goes for eight runs in the 10th over courtesy a boundary by Azhar Ali.

Ish Sodhi joins Craig in an all-spin attack. Three byes of the ninth over.

Mark Craig is brought into the attack. He bowls the eighth over for three runs.

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01:05pm: Pak 13-1, need 248 runs

Boult bowls the seventh over for three runs.

Southee bowls the sixth over for just one run but that is a leg-bye.

Boult bowls a maiden fifth over to Azhar Ali.

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12:50pm: Pak 9-1, need 252 runs

Southee goes for just one run in the fourth over.

Boult bowls a miden third over Shan Masood.

Tim Southee bowls the second over and Taufeeq Umar hits him for a boundary on the first ball of the over. OUT! Southee avenges himself and accounts for him on the last ball of the over. Caught behind on four runs. Another opener fails Pakistan. They must be missing Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad!

Trent Boult bowls the first over for four runs.

PHOTO: AFP

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Pakistan start their second innings

12:35pm: Pak 0-0, need 261 runs

Shan Masood and Taufeeq Umar come in to bat for Pakistan while the usual pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee will open the bowling for NZ. It is a nicely poised match and will be an entertaining fifth day of a Test match.

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12:25pm: NZ 250-9 declare, lead by 260 runs

McCullum signals the batsmen to come back as NZ declare the innings setting a 261-run target for the hosts. Can Misbah and his men do it? 72 overs are remaining in the day.

Zulfiqar bowls the 65th over. Tim Southee bangs three sixes of second, third and fourth ball and is caught on the fifth ball at deep cover.

Yasir Shah claims two wickets in the 64th over. Mark Craig (34) is caught at long on by Rahat Ali on the second ball of the over. Ross Taylor (104) is stumped on the fourth ball. Six runs and two wickets of the over.

Mark Craig hits Zulfiqar for a six in the 63rd over. Seven runs of the over.

Ehsan Adil bowls the 62nd over for just one run.

Zulfiqar goes for two runs in the 61st over.

PHOTO: AFP

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12:00pm: NZ 215-6, lead by 225 runs

Ehsan Adil bowls the 60th over and that marks the end of an hour of play. He gives away eight runs in it. Ross Taylor is batting on 98 and Mark Craig has scored 27.

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Play starts on day five

11:00am: NZ 167-5, lead by 177 runs

New Zealand lost an important wicket of BJ Watling at the end of day four and they are going to start the day depending on Ross Taylor to stretch their lead to 280+ so they can create a chance of bowling Pakistan out and draw the series. 




Stumps on day four

06:22pm: NZ 167-5, lead by 177 runs

Zulfiqar bowls two balls of the 49th over and umpires offer bad light to the batmen and Ross Taylor accepts the offer without any hesitance.

OUT! Yasir Shah bowls the 48th over and accounts for BJ Watling on 11. The ball was short and it took an odd bounce onto Watling. He just nicks it and Asad Shafiq grabs a catch diving forward at second slip. One run and a wicket of the over.

Zulfiqar babar is in for the 47th over. It is a maiden. Lights meter out again and the umpires say nay to stumps. Three overs remain in the day.

Yasir Shah gets hit for two boundaries in the 46th over. Ross Taylor (75*) hits him on the first and the fourth ball. Eight of the over. BJ Watling is batting on 11*.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls a maiden 45th over.

PHOTO: AFP

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06:00pm: NZ 143-5, lead by 153 runs

The umpires have brought the light meters out!

Rahat Ali gives two runs in the 44th over.

Zulfiqar continues. Taylor hits him for a four on the first ball of the 43rd over.

Rahat Ali is brought into the attack. He gives away five runs in the 42nd over.

Zulfiqar Babar gives two runs in the 41st over.

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05:45pm: NZ 143-5, lead by 153 runs

Yasir Shah bowls a two-run 40th over.

Zulfiqar gets a beating at the hand of Ross Taylor and BJ Watling in the 39th over as they hit him for a boundary respectively on the first and fifth ball. Taylor's FIFTY is also up off 63 deliveries. Nine of the over.

Yasir goes for one run in the 38th over.

Zulfiqar follows up with a maiden 37th over.

Yasir Shah bowls a maiden 36th over.

PHOTO: AFP

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05:25pm: NZ 125-5, lead by 135 runs

Zulfiqar comes in to bowl the 35th over. Taylor takes a single on the first ball. James Neesham faces Zulfi, and finds his bails rattled. He is BOWLED on 11. It was a Shan, Anderson replica instead from a left-arm spinner. BJ Watling comes in and hits Zulfiqar for a boundary on the fifth ball. Five run and a wicket of the over.

Yasir Shah with the 34th over. A late cut earns Ross Taylor a boundary and he is on 47* all of a sudden with a strike rate of 88+. 10 runs of the over.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 33rd over. Goes for three runs.

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05:00pm: NZ 102-4, lead by 112 runs

Ehsan Adil is brought back into the attack for the 32nd over. Taylor hits him for two consecutive boundaries on the fifth and sixth ball. Nine runs of the over. Taylor 37*, Neesham 8*. And that is drinks in the last session of day four.

Yasir gives away four runs in 31st over.

Zulfiqar goes for five in the 30th over.

Yasir Shah bowls the 29th over for one run.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 28th over for five runs.

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04:45pm: NZ 87-4, lead by 97 runs

Yasir Shah gives one run in the 27th over.

Zulfiqar goes for two runs in the 26th over.

Yasir Shah bowls the 25th over for three runs.

Zulfiqar bowls the 24th over for just one run.

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04:30pm: NZ 79-4, lead by 89 runs

Yasir Shah bowls the 23rd over and Corey Anderson is bowled on nought. A beautiful dismissal. A replica of Shan Masood's wicket by Ish Sodhi. One run and a wicket for Yasir too.

Zulfiqar bowls the 22nd over and accounts for McCullum. Umpire turned down the LBW appeal. Pakistan utilised their review and he was plum. The skipper departs for 45. One run and a wicket of the over.

Yasir Shah bowls the 21st over for 11 runs courtesy two boundaries hit by Ross Taylor.

PHOTO: AFP

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04:10pm: NZ 63-2, lead by 73 runs

Zulfiqar bowls the 20th over and Kane Williamson (11) is caught on the last ball of the over at cover by Taufeeq Umar. Two down for NZ. Pakistan strike again! Three runs and a wicket of the over.

PHOTO: AFP

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Play resumes after tea on day four

04:00pm: NZ 54-1, lead by 64 runs

Yasir Shah will start the proceeding after tea on day four with the 19th over. He bowls to Kane Williamson (4*). McCullum is batting on 41*.

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Tea on day four

03:40pm: NZ 54-1, lead by 64 runs

Zulfiqar bowls the last over (18th) before tea for two runs.

Yasir Shah gives away seven runs in the 17th over.

Zulfiqar follows up with another maiden 16th over.

Yasir Shah goes for one run in the 15th over.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls a maiden 14th over.

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03:25pm: NZ 43-1, lead by 53 runs

Yasir Shah bags Tom Latham on nine runs in the 11th over. Caught at leg slip by Asad Shafiq who dives to his left to take an astounding catch. Third umpire reviews if it has hit any part of his bat or gloves. Yes it has! Pakistan strike. One down and nine to go.

Zulfiqar Babar gives away four runs in the 10th over courtesy a boundary by McCullum.

Yasir Shah is brought on in the ninth over. He goes for two runs of his over.

PHOTO: AFP

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02:45pm: NZ 19-0, lead by 29 runs

Ehsan goes for five runs in the fourth over courtesy a boundary by McCullum on the second ball of the over.

Rahat makes a come back with one run of the third over.

Ehsan Adil bowls a maiden second over to Tom Latham.

Rahat Ali goes for 13 runs in the first over. Boundaries on the third fourth and sixth ball by Brendon McCullum.

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02:25pm: NZ 0-0, lead by 10 runs

Brendon McCullum and Tom Latham are out to bat for NZ. Pakistan will start with Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil. NZ will need aggression to score quickly and bring Pakistan in to bat if they are planning on winning this Test match. Pakistan will be looking to stream through NZ line-up quickly as well.

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End of Pakistan's first innings

02:17: Pak 393 all out, trail by 10 runs

McCullum bowls the second over after lunch and Sarfraz hits the balls straight into his hand on 112. Pakistan end their first innings with a 10-run deficit. NZ will not be happy with Sarfraz's innings but surely he was the man for Pakistan in this Test. NZ will resume their innings shortly.

PHOTO: AFP

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Play resumes after lunch on day four

02:10pm: Pak 392-9, trail by 11 runs

Sarfraz Ahmed is back with his partner Rahat Ali. Mark Craig will bowl the first over (146th over) after lunch to Sarfraz.

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Lunch on day four

01:30pm: Pak 392-9, trail by 11 runs

McCullum is himself in to bowl the 145th over, probably the last over before lunch. He goes for one run in the over. Sarfraz 111*, Rahat 16*.

James Neesham bowls the the 144th over for just one run.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 143rd over to Rahat Ali. Rahat defends the first two balls, hits a boundary on the third, defends the fourth, hits another boundary on the fifth and defends the sixth delivery. Eight of the over.

Neesham continues goes for four byes in the 142nd over.

PHOTO: AFP

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01:15pm: Pak 374-9, trail by 28 runs

Ish Sodhi is brought back. He goes for only one in the 141st over.

James Neesham comes in to bowl the 140th over. One run of the over.

Trent Boult bowls the 139th over. Five runs of the over courtesy a boundary by Sarfraz (107*) on the fifth ball of the over.

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Lunch has been extended

01:00pm: Pak 371-9, trail by 32 runs

Tim Southee to bowl to Sarfraz with BJ Watling standing up on the stumps. Sarfraz cuts him on the second ball to find the boundary and bring up his third Test century and that too when Pakistan needed it the most. He becomes the first Pakistani keeper to score three centuries in a calendar year. Five runs of the over.

Trent Boult is in after the spinners got bashed by Sarfraz Ahmed to bowl the 137th over. Sarfraz takes a single on the fifth ball of the over. He is on 97* now.

Tim Southee bowls the next over to Rahat Ali. It is a maiden 136th over. Rahat survives.

Ish Sodhi is the target man now for Sarfraz. He hits for three boundaries on the second, fifth and sixth ball of the 135th over. He is on 96*.

PHOTO: AFP

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12:45pm: Pak 353-9, trail by 50 runs

Mark Craig goes for 13 in the 134th over. Three boundaries by Sarfraz on the first, third and fifth ball of the over. Sarfraz has shifted his gear forward. He is batting on 84*.

Ish Sodhi give away just three runs in the 133rd over.

Mark Craig gives away three runs in the 132nd over.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 131st over for just one run.

Mark Craig is brought into the attack. Rahat Ali hits him for four on the last ball of his 130th over. Six runs of the over.

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12:30pm: Pak 327-9,  trail by 75 runs

Sodhi bowls another maiden 129th over to Sarfraz Ahmed (65*).

Neesham gives just one run in the 128th over.

Sodhi bowls the 127th over for three runs.

James Neesham gives two runs in his 126th over.

Ish Sodhi bowls a maiden 125th over to Sarfraz Ahmed.

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12:00pm: Pak 319-9,  trail by 84 runs

Trent Boult takes his first of the day and his second wicket over all as he accounts for Zulfiqar Babar on five runs. Zulfiqar is also caught behind. Sarfraz, meanwhile, has completed his half-century (60) and is still fighting alone with Rahat Ali.

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11:20am: Pak 287-6, trail by 116 runs

Southee bags the second wicket of the day. Ehsan Adil caught LBW on nought in his very next 114th over. Sarfraz Ahmed (33*) still out there for Pakistan bringing the trail down.

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11:15am: Pak 282-6, trail by 121  runs

Tim Southee bags Yasir Shah on the last ball of the third over (112th over) of the fourth day. Caught by the keeper on two runs.

PHOTO: AFP

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Play starts on day four

11:00am: Pak 281-6, trail by 122  runs

Sarfraz Ahmed is standing on the pitch for Pakistan and he is the man who can minimise the deficit for the hosts. He is accompanied by the leggy Yasir Shah. What can Pakistan do on day four to ensure their dominance? And what are New Zealand planning to do to get the remaining four wickets? Lets see! 



Stumps on day three

06:25pm: Pak 281-6, trail by 122  runs

Ish Sodhi bowls the last over of the day. Pakistan survive it. Stumps on day three. Another slow but interesting day of Test cricket.

Southee continues. Asad Shafiq (44) edges one to the lone slip, Ross Taylor, off Tim Southee. Yasir Shah walks in to bat for Pakistan.

Corey Anderson is brought on with three over remaining in the day. He gets hits for a four by Asad Shafiq on the fourth ball of the 107th over. Six runs of the over.

Tim Southee brought into the attack and Sarfraz Ahmed hits him for a four on the third ball of the 106th over.

Sodhi owls the 105th over for just one run.

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06:00pm: Pak 265-5, trail by 138 runs

Mark Craig comes on to bowl the 104th over. Asad Shafiq hits him for a six on the last ball. Eight runs of the over.

Sodhi bowls the 103rd over for six runs courtesy a boundary by Sarfraz Ahmed.

Mark Craig gets bashed by Sarfraz Ahmed for three boundaries in the 102nd over. Fifteen runs of the over.

Ish Sodhi bowls a maiden 101st over to Asad Shafiq.

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05:45pm: Pak 236-4, trail by 167 runs

The match might end an over or two before the 90-over limit due to bad light.

Boult bowls a maiden 100th over to Sarfraz Ahmed.

Sodhi bowls the 99th over for three runs.

Boult bowls a maiden 98th over to Asad Shafiq.

Sodhi bowls the 97th over for just one run.

PHOTO: AFP

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05:30pm: Pak 232-4, trail by 171 runs

Boult bowls the 96th over. Asad (21*)  hits him for a four on the third ball. Boult bowls him on the next ball as Asad leaves it but the umpire reviews it and its a no ball, Asad survives. Sarfraz is batting on 4*.

Ish Sodhi hit for a four by Asad Shafiq on the fourth ball of the 95th over. Just the four runs of the over.

Trent Boult gives away two runs in the 94th over.

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05:15pm: Pak 216-4, trail by 196 runs

Ish Sodhi is going to bowl the 93rd over. Azhar Ali hits him for a four on the third ball of the over. OUT! Ish Sodhi sends in a ripper to clean up Azhar Ali on 75. Pakistan reins now in the hands of Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq. Four runs of the over.

Tim Southee bowls the 92nd over of the day for one run and its drinks.

Asad Shafiq hits Trent Boult for two boundaries on the third and sixth ball of the 91st over. Eight runs of the over.

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05:00pm: Pak 207-4, trail by 196 runs

Ninety overs have been completed as Pakistan bat second. They have lost their two main in-form batsmen Younus (72) and Misbah (28). Asad Shafiq (7*) and Azhar Ali (70*) are on the crease for the hosts now.

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Play resumes after tea on day three.

04:10pm: Pak 182-3, trail by 221 runs

Ish Sodhi will bowl the first over of the last session of day three to Azhar Ali.

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Tea on day three

03:45pm: Pak 182-3, trail by 221 runs

Craig with the last over before tea. Three of the over. And that is tea!

Sodhi to bowl the second last over before tea. Goes for two runs in the 77th over.

Craig bowls the 76th over for just one run.

Ish Sodhi replaces Anderson. Bowls a maiden 75th over to Azhar Ali.

Craig bowls the 74th over for two runs.

Anderson brought back. Goes for two runs in the 73rd over.

Craig from the other end. Misbah sweeps him for a four on the second ball of the 72nd over. Six runs of the over.

Neesham continues from the other end. Bowls a maiden 71st over.

Mark Craig comes for the first time after lunch. Azhar sneaks three of his first ball of the 70th over to bring up his 18th half-century. Misbahul Haq smashes Craig for a six with a slog sweep on the second ball. Nine of the over.

PHOTO: AFP

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03:15pm: Pak 157-3, trail by 246 runs

Neesham continues. Goes for one run in the 69th over. Azhar (48) nearing his 18th Test fifty.

Ish Sodhi with his leg breaks in the 68th over. Misbah smashes him for a four on the third ball of the over. Six runs of the over.

James Neesham bowls the 67th over. Just one of the over.

Ish Sodhi brought into the attack and Azhar Ali hits him for a four on the first ball of the 66th over. Azhar defends the rest of the over.

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03:00pm: Pak 145-3, trail by 258 runs

James Neesham bowls the 65th over. OUT! Younus Khan hits one directly into the hands of Mark Craig at cover. He missed a century and that was not a good ball but a poor shot. Two runs and a wicket of the over. Misbahul Haq has walked in for Pakistan.

Anderson continues after drinks. Just two runs of the over of the 64th over.

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02:45pm: Pak 141-2, trail by 262 runs

James Neesham replaces Boult. Goes for two runs in the 63rd over and its drinks.

Anderson goes for only one run in the 62nd over.

Boult continues and bowls the 61st over as a maiden to Azhar Ali.

Corey Anderson is brought into the attack. Two runs of his 60th over.

PHOTO: AFP

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02:30pm: Pak 136-2, trail by 267 runs

Boult bowls the 59th over for one run.

Southee bowls the 58th over for three runs.

Boult bowls the 57th over for three runs.

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02:15pm: Pak 129-2, trail by 274 runs

Southee bowls the 56th over for two runs.

Boult continues and bowls a maiden 55th over to Younus Khan.

Tim Southee bowls the 54th over with the keeper up on the stumps. He sends the keeper back after a few deliveries. Four runs of the over.

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02:00pm: Pak 123-2, trail by 279 runs

Trent Boult bowls the 53rd over for four runs and that too from his own hands. He throws the balls towards the stumps instead it hits a foot-hole and bounces over the keeper and first slip for a four.

Tim Southee gives away only one in the 52nd over.

Trent Boult bowls the first over after lunch (51st over) and it is a maiden bowled to Azhar Ali.

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Play resumes after lunch on day three

01:40pm: Pak 118-2, trail by 285 runs

Trent Boult to bowl to Azhar Ali as the afternoon session of the second Pakistan, New Zealand Test starts.

PHOTO: AFP

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Lunch on day three

01:00pm: Pak 118-2, trail by 285 runs

Younus Khan comes down the pitch and smashes Mark Craig in the 50th over for a four to complete his 29th half-century for Pakistan. Just the four runs of the over and lunch is taken on day three. Pakistan have surely played well in this session and shown that they can perform even under the scoreboard pressure.

Ish Sodhi bowls a maiden 49th over to Azhar Ali.

Southee bowls the 48th over for just one run. Younus is playing on 49* at the moment. Azhar Ali bats on 35*.

Ish Sodhi is hit for four by Younus Khan on the fourth ball of the 47th over. Just these four runs of the over.

Tim Southee goes for three runs in the 46th over.

Ish Sodhi bowls a maiden 45th over to Azhar Ali.

Tim Southee bowls a maiden 44th over to Younus Khan.

Ish Sodhi bowls the 43rd over for just one run.

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12:30pm: Pak 105-2, trail by 298 runs

Another half-an-hour has past and 42 overs into the Pakistani innings, Younus (42*) and Azhar (33*) have helped Pakistan cross the 100-run mark.

The perfect posture to play the sweep shot. PHOTO: AFP

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12:00pm: Pak 84-2, trail by 319 runs

One hour has past and Pakistan have played 34 overs, have not lost any wickets today except the two openers on day two. Younus is batting on 35 and has hit three boundaries and two sixes while Azhar has scored 20 runs and has hit only two boundaries.

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Play starts on day three

11:00am: Pak 34-2, trail by 369 runs

Azhar Ali and Younus Khan are out there for Pakistan as they look to bring stability to the hosts' innings. New Zealand had a good day two against Pakistan but they need to bowl well to get the Pakistan middle order, which is in its prime form, out.



Stumps on day two

06:05pm: Pak 34-2, trail by 369 runs

STUMPED! Taufeeq Umar is caught out of the crease by BJ Watling off Mark Craig. Pakistan lose both their openers at the end of day two. Well, who expected this?

Shan Masood is bowled by an absolute beauty from Ish Sodhi on the fourth ball of the 15 over. He departs for 13. Pakistan, as usual, lose their opener cheaply. Three runs and one wicket from the over.



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05:45pm: Pak 28-0, trail by 375 runs

Ish Sodhi bowls the 13th over and gives away four runs. Taufeeq 14*, Shan 11*.

Mark Craig follows Sodhi with a maiden 12th over.

Ish Sodhi is brought on. He bowls a maiden 11th over.

Mark Craig bowls the 10th over for just one run.

Trent Boult bowls a maiden ninth over to Shan Masood.

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05:30pm: Pak 18-0, trail by 385 runs

Mark Craig is brought in early by Brendon McCullum and Taufeeq Umar hits him for a four on the third ball of the eighth over. Just these four runs of the over.

Trent Boult bowls the seventh over for just one run.

Tim Southee bowls the sixth over for two runs.

PHOTO: AFP

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05:15pm: Pak 11-0, trail by 392 runs

Trent Boult bowls the fifth over for just one run. Taufeeq (6*), Shan (5*)

Tim Southee bowls the fourth over for just one run.

Trent Boult bowls the third over. Taufeeq Umar hits him for a boundary on the fourth ball.

Tim Southee bowls the second over to Taufeeq Umar who steals two runs of the last ball.

Trent Boult bowls the first over to Shan Masood. Two runs from the over.

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Pakistan start their first innings

05:55pm: Pak 0-0, trail by 403 runs

Pakistan will open their batting with two new openers. The experienced Taufeeq Umar and the talented Shan Masood. Both of them are left-handers. Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be opening the bowling for New Zealand.

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End of New Zealand's first innings

04:47pm: NZ 403 all out (156 overs)

Trent Boult caught by Rahat Ali at long-on off Zulfiqar Babar. Zulfi has four wickets to his name. Ehsan Adil and Yasir Shah bag two each. Azhar Ali and Rahat Ali grab one wicket apiece. Pakistan have 19 overs left to bat on day two.

PHOTO: AFP

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04:40pm: NZ 400-9 (154 overs)

Ehsan Adil bowls the 151st over for four runs.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 152nd over for two runs.

Yasir Shah bowls the 153rd over for just one run.

Zulfiqar Babar goes for six runs in the 154th over courtesy a six by Ish Sodhi on the second ball straight over the bowler's head.

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04:25pm: NZ 387-9 (150 overs)

OUT! Zulfiqar Babar cleans up Tim Southee as he attempts a slog sweep on the fourth ball of the 150th over. He goes for 17. Last-man Trent Boult is in for NZ. Two runs and a wicket of the over.

PHOTO: AFP

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 04:20pm: NZ 381-8 (148 overs)

Azhar Ali starts the last session of day two with his leg breaks and gives away five runs in the 145th over.

Rahat Ali is hit for a four by Tim Southee on the fifth ball of the 146th over. Five runs of the over.

Azhar Ali comes in to bowl the 147th over and gives away two runs.

Zulfiqar Babar comes in to bowl the 148th over and bowls a maiden to Tim Southee.

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Play resumes after tea on day two

04:00pm: NZ 369-8 (144 overs)

Pakistan have an uphill task ahead if they are planning to win this Test match. Meanwhile, Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee are on the crease to elongate Kiwi innings. Two more to go for Pakistan.

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Tea on day two

03:40pm: NZ 369-8 (144 overs)

Zulfiqar goes for eight runs in the 140th over courtesy a six by Tim Southee.

Five runs given by Azhar Ali in the 141st over.

Zulfi goes for three runs in the 142nd over.

Azhar Ali goes for one run in the 143rd over.

Rahat Ali is brought on to bowl the last over before tea and he goes for just one run. Pakistan need just two wickets while New Zealand are going on and on and on with their batting. This seems to be going towards a draw but we still have three days and a session to go. Lets see what happens!

PHOTO: AFP

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03:20pm: NZ 348-6 (138 overs)

Ehsan Adil brought back into the attack and he goes for four runs in the 135th over.

Zulfiqar Babar is hit for four towards backward square leg by BJ Watling on the third ball of the 136th over. Just four of the over.

Azhar Ali is introduced to find a breakthrough. And he does it on the third ball of the 137th over. CAUGHT! BJ Watling goes for 39.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 138th over and catches Mark Craig LBW on 43. Craig reviews the decision and the replay shows it was plum. A wicket-maiden for him. Pakistan have two fresh batsmen Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee on the crease.

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03:00pm: NZ 337-6 (134 overs)

Mark Craig sweeps Zulfiqar Babar for a four on the fifth ball of the 132nd over. Five runs of the over.

Rahat Ali bowls the 133rd over for two runs.

Zulfiqar Babar goes for one run in the 134th over.

PHOTO: AFP

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02:45pm: NZ 329-6 (131 overs)

Mark Craig (32*) pulls Rahat Ali for a boundary on the first ball of the 129th over. BJ Watling (33*) hits him for a four on the last ball of the over. Eleven runs of the over.

Yasir Shah goes for one run in the 130th over.

Rahat Ali bowls a maiden 131st over and its drinks.

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02:30pm: NZ 317-6 (128 overs)

Third successive maiden bowled by Ehsan Adil to Mark Craig in the 125th over.

Yasir bowls maiden 126th over to BJ Watling. Pakistan's plan is clear they want wickets but what are New Zealand upto?

Change in bowling. Rahat Ali is in to replace Ehsan Adil. He bowls a maiden too. Five maidens in a row!

Yasir Shah hit for two singles in the 128th over.

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02:15pm: NZ 315-6 (124 overs)

Ehsan Adil bowls a maiden 121st over to Mark Craig.

Yasir Shah goes for two runs in the 122nd over.

Ehsan Adil bowls another maiden 123rd over to Mark Craig.

Yasir Shah bowls a maiden 124th over to BJ Watling.

BJ Watling (26*) - Mark Craig (25*)

PHOTO: AFP

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02:00pm: NZ 313-6 (120 overs)

Mark Craig hits Ehsan Adil for a four on the fifth ball of the 117th over. Four runs of the over.

Mark Craig hits Yasir Shah for a four on the fifth ball of the 118th over. Six runs of the over.

Ehsan Adil bowls a maiden 119th over to Mark Craig.

Yasir Shah hit for a four by BJ Watling on the fourth ball of the 120th over. Eight runs of the over.

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Play resumes after lunch on day two

01:40pm: NZ 295-6 (116 overs)

BJ Watling is on the pitch for NZ and he will be taking his team's first innings total forward with the assistance of tail-enders. Pakistan have to take four wickets to come in bat. An interesting second session on day two is coming. Ehsan Adil bowls the first over after lunch to Mark Craig.

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Lunch on day two

01:00pm: NZ 295-6 (116 overs)

Rahat Ali is brought on to bowl and he gives away three runs in the 113th over.

Yasir Shah follows up with a maiden 114th over to Mark Craig (13).

Rahat Ali also bowls a maiden to BJ Watling (18) in the 115th over.

Yasir Shah goes for one run in the 116th over of the match, just before lunch.

PHOTO: AFP

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12:45pm: NZ 291-6 (112 overs)

Zulfiqar Babar bowls a maiden 107th over.

Yasir Shah give away only one run in the 108th over.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 109th over for just one run.

Yasir Shah bowls the 110 over for three runs.

Zulfiqar Babar goes for one run in the 111th over.

DROPPED! Rahat Ali drops Mark Craig's (10) catch off Yasir Shah's bowling. Seven runs of the over.

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12:20pm: NZ 277-6 (105.2 overs)

OUT! Jimmy Neesham chips a straight delivery by Yasir Shah towards Misbahul Haq at mid-wicket. He goes for 19. Mark Craig is in for NZ.

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11:22am: NZ 245-5 (89.5 overs)

OUT! Rahat Ali accounts for the danger-man Tom Latham on 137. Pakistan get two wickets in two consecutive overs. Is this their way of saying 'don't underestimate us?' BJ Watling is in.

PHOTO: AFP

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11:17am: NZ 245-4 (88.4 overs)

OUT! Corey Anderson is gone for 9. Accounted by Ehsan Adil who bowls a fullish delivery and the batsman scoops it to cover. Ehsan has his second wicket of the match. Pakistan have an early breakthrough. Jimmy Neesham is in.

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Play start on day two

11:00am: NZ 243-3 (87 overs)

Tom Latham (137*) has guarded himself well against Pakistani bowlers and will be looking to convert this score into a big one on day two. Pakistan are in dire need of wickets and the first session will decide who is going to be dominant in this Test match for the remaining days.



Stumps on day one

06:20pm: NZ 243-3 (87 overs)

Zulfiqar Babar got to bowl the last over of the day and he was hit for a boundary by Corey Anderson (7*). Tom Latham is batting on 137* and was the hero of the day for NZ. Pakistan have had the taste of their own medicine as NZ have dominated the day through the three sessions. This Test will surely test Misbahul Haq's captaincy and the real potential of this Pakistani team. That is it for day one.

Tom Latham: It was nice day. We showed consistency and it's nice to get a hundred. The pitch has a little bounce so playing the sweep against spinners was risky. Pakistan bowled pretty well and pitched the ball in the right areas. It was turning and moving around and it wasn't easy to bat. It will be nice to get three hundreds in a row, but I'll take each day at a time.

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06:16pm: NZ 238-3 (86 overs)

Rahat Ali bowls the 83rd over for just one run.

Ehsan Adil bowls the 84th over for one run as well.

Rahat Ali follows up with another one-run 85th over.

Yasir Shah tries his luck with the new ball and he also gives away only one run in the 86th over.

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06:00pm: NZ 235-3, (82 overs)

Rahat Ali goes for one run in the 79th over.

Yasir Shah gives away five runs in the 80th over.

The new ball is taken!

Rahat Ali bowls the 81st over for one run.

Ehsan Adil is in to bowl the 82nd over with the new ball and gave away just one run. NZ are on defensive mode now.

PHOTO: AFP

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05:35pm: NZ 226-3, (77.3 overs)

OUT! Ross Taylor is caught at silly point by Shan Masood with his left hand. Yasir Shah gets his first wicket of the match. Can Pakistan put pressure on the incoming Corey Anderson?

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05:30pm: NZ 222-2, (76 overs)

Five runs off the Yasir Shah's 70th over.

Three runs in the 71st over bowled by Rahat Ali.

Seven runs given by Yasir Shah in the 72nd over courtesy a boundary hit by Ross Taylor on the last ball.

Three runs given by Azhar Ali in the 73rd over with his leg-breaks.

Yasir Shah bowls the 74th over for three runs.

Azhar Ali bowls a maiden 75th over.

While Yasir Shah follows up with another maiden for Pakistan in the 76th over.

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05:00pm: NZ 203-2, (69 overs)

Yasir Shah bowls his third consecutive (68th) over for just one run.

Rahat Ali is hit for a four on the first ball of the 69th over by Tom Latham. Five of the over.

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04:50pm: NZ 197-2 (67 overs)

Zulfiqar goes for three runs in the 63rd over.

Yasir Shah is brought on and he goes for one run in his 64th over for Pakistan.

Ehsan Adil bowls the 65th over and Latham is dropped by Azhar Ali in the gully.

Yasir bowls the 66th over for one run.

Rahat Ali bowls the 67th over with two slips for three runs.

PHOTO: AFP

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04:30pm: NZ 186-2 (62 overs)

Three runs and a loud unsuccessful review for an LBW off Ehsan Adil's 60th over.

Zulfiqar hit for six and a four by Latham to move on to 97. Eleven of the over.

CENTURY! Tom Latham brings up his second Test ton for NZ against the same team Pakistan. He very well knows how to tackle Pakistani spinners.

PHOTO: AFP

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04:15pm: NZ 169-2 (59 overs)

One run from Zulfiqar Babar's 57th over after tea.

Ehsan Adil bowls a maiden 58th over to Tom Latham (85*).

Zulfiqar Babar is hit four two boundaries by Ross Taylor (9*) on the third and fourth ball of the 59th over. Eight of the over.

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Play resumes after tea on day one

04:00pm: NZ 154-2 (55 overs)

Ross Taylor has been given a golden opportunity to set himself and score big as he has failed twice in the first Test. Tom Latham (84), meanwhile, is nearing another ton.

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Tea on day one

03:40pm: NZ 154-2 (55 overs)

Rahat Ali bowls a maiden 52nd over to Tom Latham.

Zulfiqar Babar gives away two runs in the 53rd over.

Rahat Ali bowls the 54th over for just one run.

BOWLED! Zulfiqar cleans up Kane Williamson with an absolute beauty for 32 runs. Pakistan get another breakthrough just before tea on day one. Seven runs and a wicket off the over.

Rahat Ali bowls the 56th over for one run as tea is taken on day one.

PHOTO: AFP

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03:15pm: NZ 149-1, (51 overs)

Rahat Ali brought back into the attack by Misbah. He goes for just two runs in the 48th over.

Zulfiqar Ali bowls a maiden 49th over to Kane Williamson.

Latham nicks one and it slips between the keeper and first slip. Younus Khan and Sarfraz Ahmed didn't even try. Rahat Ali is frustrated. Four runs of the 50th over.

Zulfiqar follows up with another maiden 51st over to Kane Williamson.

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03:00pm: NZ 143-1 (47 overs)

Zulfiqar bowls a maiden 44th over to Tom Latham.

Ehsan Adil hit for a four on the third ball of the 45th over by Kane Williamson. A leg glance was all what was required. Six runs of the over.

Just one run of Zulfiqar's 46th over for Pakistan.

Latham drives Ehsan for a four towards mid-on on the third ball of the 47th over. On his pads and he just opens the face of his blade. Five runs of the over.

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02:45pm: NZ 131-1 (43 overs)

Five runs scored of Zulfi's 42nd over.

Wicket-taker Ehsan Adil replaces Yasir Shah for the 43rd over.

50-run partnership up for Tom Latham and Kane Williamson.

Six runs of Ehsan's over and drinks are taken.

The ball is old and Pakistan will be looking for a little bit of reverse swing.

PHOTO: AFP

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02:30pm: NZ 120-1 (41 overs)

Yasir Shah is back in the attack and gives three runs in the 37th over.

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 38th over for five runs.

Yasir bowls the 39th over for two runs.

Zulfiqar bowls a maiden 40th over.

NZ score four runs of Yasir's 41st over.

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02:13pm: NZ 106-1, (36 overs)

Zulfiqar bowls a tight 34th over for just one run.

Tom Latham (51*) scores two runs of the last ball of 35th over off Rahat Ali to complete his fourth Test fifty.

Zulfi hit for a four on the fourth ball of the 36th over. Eight of the over.

PHOTO: AFP

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02:00pm: NZ 95-1, (33 overs)

Three runs off Rahat Ali's first over after lunch.

Two runs off Zulfiqar Babar's 30th over for Pakistan.

Rahat Ali bowls a maiden 31st over for Pakistan.

Tom Latham sweeps Zulfiqar Babar for a four on the second ball of the 32nd over.

Rahat Ali bowls a shorter length in the 33rd over with three bouncers on the trot to Tom Latham (48*) who ducks against them. One run of the over.

Tom Latham nears his fourth Test half-century.

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Play resumes after lunch on day one

01:40pm: NZ 82-1, (28 overs)

Tom Latham (35*) and Kane Williamson (4*) are not the crease against Pakistani bowling. Yasir Shah has had a good day against both of them till now. Pakistan will be looking to stick with the duo of Ehsan Adil, bowling good line and length, and Yasir Shah who is causing problems for both the right and left-handed batsmen to find another breakthrough and unsettle NZ. Rahat Ali bowls the first over after lunch to Tom Latham. Game on!

PHOTO: AFP

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Lunch on day one

01:00pm: NZ 81-1, (28 overs)

A Kane Williamson (4*) catch falls short of the first slip off Yasir Shah on the fifth ball of the 26th over. He bowls another maiden.

Ehsan Adil bowls a maiden to Tom Latham (35*).

Yasir Shah bowls the last over of the day before lunch for two runs as he bamboozles Tom Latham on three occasions with his googlies and flippers.

PHOTO: AFP

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12:45pm: NZ 80-1, (25 overs)

Yasir Shah goes for two runs in the 22nd over.

Ehsan Adil is unlucky in the 23rd over as the umpire gave an LBW decision not out while the replay showed it was pad first.

He gets hit for a four on the last ball by the same man, McCullum.

Yasir Shah bowls another tight over for two runs.

OUT! Ehsan Adil strikes for Pakistan on the very first ball of the 25th over. McCullum (43) is caught at deep mid-wicket by Shan Masood off Ehsan Adil's short-pitched delivery. Two new inductees giving Pakistan their first breakthrough in this Test.

Kane Williamson is in for New Zealand and scores 3* at the end of the 25th over. Tom Latham is batting on 34*.

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12:30pm: NZ 68-0 (21 overs)

Zulfiqar Babar bowls the 17th over for only two runs.

Yasir Shah bowls a maiden 18th over.

McCullum dances down the pitch and smashes Zulfiqar for a six on the second ball of the 19th over towards the long-on boundary.

Just one run of Yasir's 20th over.

Three runs off Zulfiqar in the 21st over.

McCullum 37*, Latham 31*

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12:15pm: NZ 55-0 (16 overs)

McCullum hits Yasir Shah for a four on the fifth ball of the 14th over.

Tom Latham lashes Zulfiqar Babar for four towards offside on the very first ball of the 15th over.

50 runs up for NZ in 15.4 overs.

Yasir Shah ends the 16th over with a four by Tom Latham past the mid-off fielder.

PHOTO: AFP

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12:00pm: NZ 39-0, (13 overs)

McCullum pulls Rahat Ali for a six on the first ball of the seventh over.

Ehsan Adil appeal for an LBW appeal on Tom Latham umpire says its not out and Misbah reviews it. The ball is pitched in line, hitting in line but is clipping the bails so the original not out decision stands.

McCullum hits Ehsan Adil for a four on the fourth ball of the 10 over.

Tom Latham hits Zulfiqar Babar for a four on the second ball of the 11th over.

Drinks taken after an hour of play!

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11:30am: NZ 17-0 (6 overs)

Tom Latham hits the first four of the match off Rahat Ali on the first ball of the third over.

Brendon McCullum hits Ehsan Adil for a four on the second ball of the fourth over.

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Play starts on day one

11:00am: NZ 0-0

This is the first time in the last three Tests that Pakistan have lost the toss and will be bowling first. This is going to be an acid test for Pakistan to check if they really have that winning momentum on their side. Tom Latham and Brendon McCullum will start the innings for New Zealand while Rahat Ali will be bowling the first over for Pakistan. Can NZ capitalise on this chance?

PHOTO: AFP