Trent Boult four-for inspires New Zealand fightback

Batting in the middle-order, Babar Azam scored a solid 62 to help Pakistan to a 74-run first innings lead against New Zealand on the second day of what has been a low-scoring Test. Pakistan remain on top but New Zealand will be pleased with their fightback.

Having been bundled out for just 153 in their first innings, New Zealand desperately required a strong bowling performance to stay in contention, and the bowlers didn't disappoint.

On a wicket that has been typically dry but offered some assistance to the quicks, left-arm swing bowler Trent Boult exploited conditions to lead New Zealand's fightback with four key wickets. Colin de Grandhomme and Ajaz Patel chipped in with a couple of wickets apiece to bowl Pakistan out for 227, but couldn't help but concede a sizeable lead.

In response, New Zealand got to the close of play at 56/1, with Kane Williamson and Jeet Raval holding fort after Tom Latham was dismissed for a golden duck by a cracking Hasan Ali in-dipper.

The day had begun with Pakistan at 59/2. Overnight batsmen Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail didn't last too long at the crease, and Pakistan were looking in trouble at 91/4.

Sohail departed in soft fashion for 38, flicking a leg-stump full toss by Ish Sodhi straight to short mid-wicket - adding just 16 to his overnight score. Moments later Ali, who resumed his innings on 10, fished for one outside off to fall for 22 from an away-swinging Boult delivery.

Asad Shafiq and Azam then joined forces for an excellent 83-run partnership to put Pakistan in the lead. In fact, while they were at the crease it seemed like Pakistan would conjure up an insurmountable position, but Boult then produced an in-swinging peach to have Shafiq chopping on for 43.

Soon Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan captain, played a sweep off Ajaz Patel straight into the hands of backward square leg. The debutant was to enjoy another wicket in that very spell with Bilal Asif missing a big heave and getting stumped.

Azam then switched gears to play more attacking shots to build the advantage and went past his fifty. On 62, he was strangled down the leg-side by Boult, only managing a slight feather off an attempted flick for wicket-keeper BJ Watling to take a fantastic catch.

Raval and Williamson then batted solidly to eat into the deficit. They took the odd scoring opportunity with glee, but remained largely sedate in their approach as they brought down Pakistan's lead to a paltry 18 runs. These two will be crucial to New Zealand's chances of posting a score that could potentially make life difficult for Pakistan in the fourth innings.