Azam help Pakistan to 216 as Kiwis' Southee runs through visitors' batting

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket in three years while Pakistan's Babar Azam fought a lone battle to help them reach 216 on a truncated third day of the second match here on Sunday.

Play was called off for the day at Seddon Park as wet weather allowed only 38.1 overs of play. New Zealand scored 271 in the first innings and now lead the tourists by 55 runs. At stumps, New Zealand were 0/0 with just a ball bowled.

Azam, who took 196 balls to score 90 laced with 10 fours, played the role of sheet-anchor while wickets fell around him.

Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed notched up a quickfire 41 off 44 balls cutting, pulling, and often jumping out of his crease to flay the bowlers through the covers before nicking Wagner behind.

Azam, meanwhile, remained unbeaten. Azam and Sarfraz stitched together Pakistan's highest partnership in the first innings (74) for the sixth wicket.

Southee then led the hosts' comeback, and collected his first five-wicket haul in Tests since May 2013.

The Kiwis ultimately dismissed Pakistan for 216 with left arm medium pacer Neil Wagner returning figures of (3/59).

--IANS

sam/dg