Pakistan lost two wickets without scoring in its chase of the 319 winning target against New Zealand at the end of an eventful Day 4 of the second Test on Thursday.
New Zealand set up its bid for a series victory in its first test tour to Pakistan in 20 years after declaring its second innings on 277-5 and using the last three overs of the day to bowl opener Abdullah Shafique and nightwatchman Mir Hamza.
Pakistan was 0-2 at stumps and has to beat its previous highest successful chase of 314 runs in 1994 when Australia was beaten by one wicket at the same National Stadium.
On a day when the umpires made misjudgments, New Zealand left no doubt when captain Tim Southee knocked back Shafique’s off stump off the second ball which kept a bit low and Ish Sodhi clean bowled Hamza for a pair in the match to leave Pakistan in deep trouble.
Tom Blundell (74) and Michael Bracewell (74 not out) firmed up New Zealand with a 127-run stand. Blundell holed out in the deep as New Zealand looked for quick runs and Southee made a late declaration.
Brief scores
New Zealand 449 & 277-5d (M Bracewell 74*, T Blundell 74, T Latham 62) v Pakistan 408 & 0-2 (I Sodhi 0-1, Tim Southee 0-1)
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