Asad Shafiq chalks up 4,000 runs as Pakistan edge closer to victory in Abu Dhabi Test

Middle-order batsman becomes 11th Pakistani to pass the mark with a single off New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel on Day 4 of first Test

Pakistani batsman Asad Shafiq (L) plays a shot as New Zealand cricketers Henry Nicholls looks on during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 19, 2018.  / AFP / AAMIR QURESHI
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Asad Shafiq chalked up 4,000 Test runs on Monday as Pakistan closed in on victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.

Shafiq took a single off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel to reach 24, making him the 11th Pakistani batsman to score 4,000 or more runs in the five-day game before being dismissed by Neil Wagner on 45.

Pakistan, set 176 to win the match, were 100-3 with just half an hour before lunch on the fourth day. Azhar Ali was at the crease on 20.

Pakistan are hoping the pair continue their solid run to force a 1-0 win in the three-match series.

Shafiq and Azhar rescued Pakistan during their 52-run unfinished stand for the fourth wicket after high drama at the start of the day, when Pakistan lost three quick wickets in the space of just eight runs and as many balls.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq was trapped leg-before to a full length ball by Ajaz in the fifth over. Imam made 27 with four boundaries.

His fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez then miscued a drive off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi's next over and was caught at covers for 10.

Haris Sohail followed three balls later, caught and bowled off a Sodhi full toss for four.

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Day 2: Ajaz Patel revels in 'special moment' after claiming first Test wicket

Day 1: Pakistan hold edge after Yasir Shah spins out New Zealand in Abu Dhabi