With a slow outfield and something in it for both spin and pace, Pakistan were only able to make 247 runs in the 90 overs of the day, at a run-rate of 2.74, finishing at 281-6 in 109 overs. Sarfraz Ahmed was unbeaten on 28 as he and Asad Shafiq upped the ante a bit towards the end of the day. However, Shafiq threw away his wicket in the penultimate over of the day and was replaced by Yasir Shah, who is not out on one.
Having lost both openers on day two, Pakistan started the day precariously on 34-2 but Azhar Ali and Younus Khan navigated through the tricky period and added a 100-run partnership to bring Pakistan into the game.
However, just when the hosts seemed to be taking a stronghold on the match, Younus was dismissed against the run of play on 72, hitting a long hop and wide ball from James Neesham straight to short extra cover for the softest of dismissals.
Skipper Misbahul Haq, who had made three centuries in his last three innings, came out with the score at 145-3 but was unable to make it four in four as Trent Boult dismissed him on 28 to end the partnership for exactly 50.
Azhar’s patient vigil soon came to an end and with the score at 220-5 and the last recognised batting pair at the crease, New Zealand sensed blood.
But some impressive counter-attacking by Shafiq and Sarfraz helped Pakistan decrease the still hefty deficit. Shafiq was given a reprieve as he misjudged a Boult ball coming in with the angle and left it alone. The ball dislodged the bails but replays showed that the pacer had overstepped.
However, just like with Younus, when Pakistan looked to be getting into a strong position, Shafiq, set on 44, went chasing after a wide ball from Tim Southee and edged it to first slip to hand the initiative back to the visitors.
Pakistan may have scored at a run-rate of 3.81 in the final 16 overs and may have lost just four wickets in the day, but the match is delicately poised and they would require a good contribution from Sarfraz in the morning session to be out of the woods.
Batting coach Grant Flower knows the remaining Pakistan batsmen have a lot to do on day four. “It’s a slow and turning pitch and the Kiwis were really disciplined in their bowling backed up by very good fielding,” he said, before expressing disappointment that no Pakistani batsman was able to carry on despite making starts. “Some big hundreds would have been good. But we’ve still got a chance to get close to New Zealand’s total.”
New Zealand, meanwhile, will be hoping to dismiss the tail quickly and give themselves a sizable lead to work with in the second innings after all their bowlers impressed on day three.
As it stands, there is all to play for on day four.
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