Southee six gives New Zealand 55-run lead
Tim Southee's six-wicket haul helped New Zealand bowl out Pakistan for 216, a first-innings lead of 55, as Babar Azam was left stranded on 90 on a rain-affected third day in the second Test in Hamilton on Sunday (November 27).
Rain kept the players on their toes throughout the day though, compelling the players to take an early lunch, ensuring only six balls were possible in the entire second session, and then forcing stumps to be called when New Zealand came out to bat in the second innings and saw out just a solitary ball for no run.
Azam, playing only his third Test, seemed on track to bring up a maiden century, but lost partners at the other end. Southee played a big in denying the 22-year old batsman, removing Mohammad Amir and Imran Khan, the No. 10 and 11 batsmen, to hasten the end and finish with figures of 6 for 80. Azam did, however, surpass his previous Test best of 69, which he hit on debut against West Indies last month.
After starting the day on the ropes at 76 for 5, Pakistan added 140 in 38 overs, after play began 30 minutes early to make up time lost to rain on the first day.
Azam -- promoted to No. 3 with Misbah-ul-Haq, the regular captain, missing the Test due to a family illness-- resumed on 34 and kept the innings together while Sarfraz Ahmed (41) and Sohail Kahn (37) attacked the bowling.
Sarfraz had luck on his side when he pulled Tim Southee to midwicket where the ball went through the hands of a leaping Henry Nicholl. Four balls later, Tom Latham missed with a shy at the stumps as Sarfraz slipped during an aborted single attempt.
Bowling with a blustery wind behind him, Southee, who tore though Pakistan's top order on Saturday, was wayward on Sunday as he conceded 32 runs in his initial spell of three overs.
The introduction of Neil Wagner (3 for 59), however, produced the breakthrough for New Zealand. Sarfraz, who had slashed and profited against Southee, tried the same shot to a short Wagner delivery and it flew to Jeet Raval at second slip.
Southee came back to find a better line in his second spell to remove Sohail, caught behind by BJ Watling, the wicketkeeper. Wahab Riaz was then trapped lbw by Colin de Grandhomme, and the players disbanded for lunch with Pakistan on 200 for 8.
Pakistan added one run after the break to take the score to 201 for 8, before another lengthy break followed, waiting for rain to relent and the outfield to dry.
When play resumed, Azam was batting on 81 and hit two fours, taking his tally to 10, before Southee struck at the other end. Azam's knock, coming off 196 balls, was the top score by a batsman in the first innings on either side.
