Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail rebuild after Trent Boult strikes Pakistan in final Abu Dhabi Test

New Zealand all out for 274 before paceman Boult removes openers Hafeez and Imam-ul-Haq

Pakistani batsman Azhar Ali (L) plays a shot as New Zealand cricketer Henry Nicholls looks on during the second day of the third and final Test cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on December 4, 2018. / AFP / AAMIR QURESHI
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Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

Pakistan trail New Zealand by 135 runs with seven wickets in hand after Azhar Ali held the innings together with a well-compiled 62 not out to help the hosts recover on Day 2 of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.

Alongside him was Asad Shafiq on 26 in an unbeaten stand of 54 for the fourth wicket when stumps were drawn for the day.

Pakistan recovered from an early Trent Boult double. Mohammad Hafeez fell to a low catch to Tim Southee at second slip off the left-arm quick in the second last ball of the two overs Pakistan faced before lunch.

Boult struck again soon after lunch to get rid of Imam-ul-Haq (9), caught by Southee again, before Azhar and Haris Sohail dug in for a 46-run stand for the third wicket.

Haris fell when looking well set on 85 when he edged a Southee delivery to BJ Watling.

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New Zealand enjoyed a good first session to close their first innings at 274 after adding 45 runs to their overnight score of 229-7.

Bilal Asif mopped up the New Zealand tail for his second five-wicket haul in five Tests while Watling remained unbeaten on 77 having faced 250 balls.

It was a fine knock from the wicketkeeper batsman, who stayed at the crease for five hours and 32 minutes, hitting four fours and becoming the 14th New Zealand batsman to pass 3,000 runs in his 56th Test.

Bilal provided the breakthrough when he hit the top Test debutant William Somerville's middle stump to end a 45-run stand for the seventh wicket with Watling.

Somerville's resistance ended after batting for more than an hour in the first session. He faced 99 balls but failed to add to his overnight score of 12..

Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings