Mount Maunganui: Tim Southee became the third New Zealand bowler to 300 Test victims as the hosts moved into a dominant position against Pakistan on day four on Tuesday.
After Southee and Boult made inroads with the new ball, Pakistan went to stumps at 71/3 with Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam digging deep to keep the buoyant hosts at bay.
After having bowled Pakistan out for 239 at stumps the previous day, the home team’s openers looked confident as they looked to add quick runs to the lead. Both Tom Blundell and Tom Latham played their strokes to score a half-century each.
After Mohammad Abbas broke the opening partnership for 111 with Blundell getting bowled as he looked to play an expansive heave, Pakistan were able to make routine inroads.
Naseem Shah was the most effective, testing New Zealand’s batsmen with short-pitched bowling and reaped the three wickets of Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls. But part of the reason for wickets falling was New Zealand’s aggressive approach in a bid to put Pakistan in as soon as possible.