Pakistan survive after defiant Younis-Asad stand

Pakistan kept its 1-0 lead intact after the 248-run win last week, with the last test set for Sharjah next Wednesday.

Offspinner Mark Craig triggered a Pakistan collapse when Azhar Ali hit a full toss straight to cover after putting on 62 runs with Shan Masood, 40. Boult had Masood lbw off a vicious yorker, and in his next over captain Misbah-ul-Haq was caught behind for a rare nought in recent times, as Pakistan slipped to 75-4.

Khan and Shafiq then defied the Kiwis’ bid for victory in the last session with a gritty half century stand before Khan fended Craig’s short delivery to the slips. The dismissal raised New Zealand hopes, but not for long. Earlier, Taylor returned to form after scores of 0, 8 and 23 to make 104 off 133 balls, his first test century of the year.

Taylor added 60 invaluable runs with Craig (34) after New Zealand resumed at the overnight 167-6. Both fell to Shah in the space of three deliveries to give the legspinner his first five-wicket haul in only his fourth test match. New Zealand looked for quick runs to press its bid to level the three-match series on a turning pitch after losing the first test by 248 runs last week.  Craig got away with a dropped catch when left-arm fast bowler Rahat Ali found a thick outside edge in his second over and Umar spilled a low, two-handed catch at first slip.

New Zealand made its intent clear for declaration when Craig hoisted Babar over midwicket for a big six before he holed out in the deep off Shah.

Brief Scores: New Zealand:  403 (Latham 137, Babar 4-137) and 250 for 9 declared (Taylor 104, Yasir 5-79, Babar 4-96) drew with Pakistan: 393 (Sarfraz 112, Azhar 75, Younis 72) and 196 for 5.