New Zealand pushed Pakistan onto the back foot in the first Test after Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten double century on Thursday. Williamson’s 200 not out in 10 hours earned New Zealand a big 174-run lead as the visitors declared at a mammoth 612 for 9 at tea, with lower-order batter Ish Sodhi scoring a career-best 65.

Sodhi and fellow spinner Michael Bracewell then made early inroads in the final session to reduce Pakistan to 77 for 2 at stumps. Pakistan still trail by 97 runs on a wicket which has some encouragement for spinners from the bowlers’ footmarks.

Imam-ul Haq saw off the session with an unbeaten 45 while night-watchman Nauman Ali survived an umbrella of fielders around him in the last over to survive on four.

Abdullah Shafique once again threw away his wicket as he was caught low down at short mid-on for 17 after attempting a needless drive against off-spinner Bracewell. Left-hander Masood was out lbw for 10 after he went onto the back foot against Sodhi’s sharp delivery.

Left-hander Masood was out lbw for 10 after he went onto the back foot against Sodhi’s sharp delivery.

Captain Tim Southee ended Pakistan’s long frustrating time in the field when he declared just after Williamson lifted leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed over extra cover for his 21st boundary and then raised his fifth double-hundred with a single.

Abrar, who took 17 wickets in two Test matches against England earlier this month, finished with 5 for 205 but not before Williamson and Sodhi had extended the lead with a 159-run seventh-wicket stand on a slow turner.

Williamson and Sodhi dug in for well over one-and-a-half hours into the second session after New Zealand resumed on 440 for 6 before Pakistan claimed three quick wickets through spinners. Both put on 79 runs in the first session and batted with determination even when Pakistan took the second new ball.

Brief scores: Pakistan 438 & 77/2. New Zealand 612/9 decl. (K. Williamson 200 n.o.; A. Ahmed 5/205). At stumps, Day IV.