New Zealand vs Pakistan: Tim Southee's fiery spell leaves visitors tottering on Day 2 of second Test

Hamilton: New Zealand paceman Tim Southee crashed through Pakistan’s top order to leave the tourists at 76-5 in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 271 at stumps on Saturday, the second day of the second Test.

Southee (3-26) dismissed openers Sami Aslam (5) and Azhar Ali (1) in the same over, then removed Younis Khan (2) in his 200th test innings to put New Zealand in control of the match and the series, which they lead 1-0.

Neil Wagner (2-15) claimed the wickets of Asad Shafiq (23) and Mohammad Rizwan, for a golden duck on Test debut with successive balls but was denied a hat trick as Pakistan slumped to 51-5,

Babar Azam, 34 not out, and Sarfraz Ahmed (9) guided Pakistan to stumps without further loss.

Warm, overcast conditions in the final session fostered swing and Southee found a length and line that forced Pakistan’s batsmen to play, undoing them when the ball moved late.

New Zealand’s 271, built around innings of 55 by opener Jeet Raval and 49 not out by wicketkeeper BJ Watling, seemed comparatively strong, having been sent in on a green pitch.

Raval produced a mature innings for a rookie player. He guided New Zealand to 77-2 by stumps on a truncated first day on which only 21 overs were bowled due to rain.

He went on Saturday to his second half century in as many Tests, matching his achievement of his debut Test in Christchurch last week which New Zealand won by seven wickets.

That result — the first time Pakistan has lost the first Test in its past seven series — gave New Zealand a strong chance of a winning a home series against Pakistan for the first time since 1985.

“I did all the hard work and then threw it all away,” Raval said. “It’s a bit frustrating but we’re in a good position now and I’ll take it any day.

“The boys bowled superbly this evening to have them five down so hopefully we’ll come out firing tomorrow morning and go from there.”

Raval was twice dropped at first slip by Sami Aslam off Mohammad Amir, when he was on four in the first over of the innings and again at 40, before Mohammad Rizwan was moved into the position and held a chance off Imran Khan to end his innings at 55.

Waling then took over the anchor role, sharing partnerships of 51 with de Grandhomm and 36 with Southee, who hit 29 from 28 balls with five fours and a six.

Watling was deprived of a half century when Neil Wagner was the last man out. Sohail Khan finished with 4-99, Imran with 3-52 and Amir, who had three catches dropped from his bowling, 2-59.