After stitching together a massive 104-run 10th-wicket partnership to power New Zealand to 449 on Day II of the second Test against Pakistan, bowlers Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel took a wicket apiece to put the visitors in the box seat on Tuesday.
Pakistan, who trail by 295 runs, will have their task cut out for them on Wednesday as they look to avoid a second straight series defeat on home soil to add to a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of England in December. The first game of the two-match series was drawn.
New Zealand resumed the day on 309/6, with batter Tom Blundell scoring a half-century at the National Stadium in Karachi, before Henry and Patel both notched up career-best Test scores of 68 not out and 35 respectively.
“It’s not very often I’m in here for my batting, so it’s always nice,” Henry told a news conference.
“I think the main thing is that when you’re contributing and putting your team in a good position, it’s always a good feeling.”
With the ball in hand, Henry then removed Abdullah Shafique, before Patel dismissed Shan Masood three overs later to leave the hosts reeling. At stumps, Pakistan were 154/3, with Imam-ul Haq batting on 74. Captain Babar Azam was run out for 24.
