Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI: Pakistan still face a deficit of 97 runs as the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand at National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi heads into the final day.
Trailing by 174 runs after the first innings, Pakistan finished the fourth day on 77-2, with Imam-ul-Haq unbeaten on 45 and nightwatchman Nauman Ali four not out.
New Zealand were buoyed by two late strikes in the day and would be looking to push for victory on a surface that has not so far taken sharp turn.
Opening batter Abdullah Shafique was the first wicket to fall for Pakistan after he stepped out of the crease to attempt an ill-fated lofted shot off spinner Michael Bracewell, and was caught at mid-on for 17.
Later in the evening session, Shan Masood was adjudged leg before off Ish Sodhi for 10 and the ball was deemed to be clipping the leg-stump on umpire’s call after the former opted for a review.
Kane Williamson headlined New Zealand’s batting surge earlier in the day with his fifth Test double century, taking him past Brendon McCullum for the most number of double tons for the Black Caps.
His terrific innings, studded with 21 boundaries and one six, helped the tourists to declare their first innings on 612-9 -- a good 174-run lead over Pakistan's 438.
Williamson’s 10-hour knock was not entirely chanceless as he had survived two stumpings off spinner Noman on 15 and 21.
Resuming on the overnight score of 440-6, Williamson and Sodhi batted through the first session and took the team total to 595 before the seventh-wicket stand was finally broken by Abrar Ahmed.
The 24-year-old spinner removed Sodhi for 65 after he had made his fourth Test half-century.
Tim Southee and Neil Wagner did not disturb the scorers as New Zealand lost three wickets in the space of two runs, but last-man Ajaz Patel stuck around to help former skipper Williamson reach the milestone.
"It's nice to be part of a number of partnerships that has given us a competitive total and put us in a reasonable position," said Williamson.
But he still thought it would be tough to force a win.
"We know there is a lot of hard work and patience going into tomorrow in trying to utilise the assistance of the surface as well as we can."
Pakistan’s Abrar lamented the lack of assistance from the pitch as he registered his second five-wicket haul in five Test innings.
"Whether you are a mystery spinner or whatever, you need at least some support from the pitch but when you are not getting any help then it's tough to get wickets," he said.
Abrar finished with 5-205 while Noman managed 3-185.
Scores in brief (Day-4):
Pakistan (1st innings) 438, 130.5 overs (Babar Azam 161, Salman Ali Agha 103, Sarfaraz Ahmed 86, Imam-ul-Haq 24, Saud Shakeel 22; Tim Southee 3-69, Michael Bracewell 2-72, Ish Sodhi 2-87, Ajaz Patel 2-112)
New Zealand (1st innings) 612-9d, 194.5 overs (Kane Williamson 200 not out, Tom Latham 113, Devon Conway 92, Ish Sodhi 65; Abrar Ahmed 5-205, Noman Ali 3-185)
Pakistan (2nd innings) 77-2, 31 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 45 not out, Abdullah Shafique 17; Ish Sodhi 1-17, Mic hael Bracewell 1-23)
