shares
Lunch: New Zealand 153 and 134 for 4 (Watling 15*, Nicholls 13*, Hasan 3-21) lead Pakistan 227 by 60 runs
For nearly one hour after play began on Sunday, New Zealand’s comeback into this match looked complete, and for the first time, they began to establish something approaching superiority. Kane Williamson and Jeet Raval continued their gritty resistance, growing ever more confident at the crease. The opening salvo from Mohammad Abbas was seen off without major trouble, and New Zealand moved into the lead without losing any more wickets. But once a perfect legspinner from Yasir Shah clipped Williamson’s off stump, Pakistan surged once again.
Hasan Ali took two more wickets in one over as Ross Taylor and Raval also made their way back, and the upshot of a session that had begun with New Zealand firmly in charge ended by Pakistan re-establishing the slim advantage they have held over their opponents. The fourth-innings target could – probably will – still be tricky, with New Zealand leading by 60 with four wickets still in hand in a Test that obstinately refuses to show its hand.
More to follow
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
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