Pakistan 200-8 at lunch on day 3, 2nd test vs

Pakistan’s batting sensation Babar Azam’s fighting 81 run unbeaten knock helped Pakistan to salvage their first innings in the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday.

Asked to bat first on a green Seddon Park pitch and under gloomy skies, the Black Caps lost Tom Latham for a first-ball duck, then recovered well before captain Kane Williamson was controversially sent on his way, before Ross Taylor showed no sign of his eye troubles in blazing quickfire runs with Jeet Raval.

Neil Wagner also bagged two wickets as Pakistan collapsed to 76 for five at stumps on day two, still 195 runs behind New Zealand’s first innings total of 271.

On Day One, Pakistan had won the toss and elected to bowl first. New Zealand was able to slow the scoring rate in the second half of the session, allowing only a further 39 runs while capturing two wickets.

Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t resist hooking Wagner despite being new to the crease and holed out in the deep to leave Wagner on a hat-trick.

He guided New Zealand to 77/2 by stumps on a truncated first day on which only 21 overs were bowled due to rain.

It may be the second day but New Zealand’s batsmen will essentially be starting the Test match afresh against Pakistan. New Zealand require only a draw to secure their first series win over Pakistan in more than 30 years, while Pakistan need a win to extend their two-year unbeaten series streak.

Sohail Khan took over from him with Babar Azam (90 not out) with a 47-ball 37 before he edged to BJ Watling off Southee.

New Zealand are always a strong team at home, where conditions favour the bowlers.

They flayed at a unsafe Tim Southee far too early in their innings and fell to a miserable 12-3, before a couple of terrible strokes – none worse than Mohammad Rizwan’s top-edged hook from his first ball in test cricket – left Neil Wagner with his tail up.

If the duo can provide a good start, it will be easier for the rest of the batsmen to follow, and experienced players like Younis Khan and Misbah can consolidate on that start.

Watling, however, again proved to be the glue that held the lower order together, sharing in a 51-run stand with Colin de Grandhomme (37), 33 with Mitchell Santner (16), 36 with Southee (29) and 31 with Matt Henry (15).

By lunch (day two – the first day was rained off yesterday) Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club’s de Grandhomme had taken 3-23 with Pakistan at 88-4.