It will be all to play for on day four as New Zealand batsmen aim for quick runs while Pakistanis will be going for quick wickets.
The visitors started the day brightly losing only one wicket in the first two sessions. Azhar Ali went for 67 but from there on Younis Khan combined well with captain Misbah-ul-Haq to bolster Pakistan.
The experienced duo played with authority. Younis was more aggressive and gathered 10 boundaries,while Misbah held the forte at the other end. However, on 73 just when he looked set for his 18th Test ton, Younis was given out incorrectly. Australian umpire Rod Tucker adjudged him caught at short leg but replays showed the ball had hit the pad only. After Younis dismissal, wickets started to fall cheaply. Vettori proved to be the pick of the bowlers along with Chris Martin as Pakistan’s last six wickets fell for only 90 runs.
Misbah fell agonisingly short of his third Test ton when he was out lbw for 99 to Chris Martin. But they had to settle for only 20 runs lead which was due to a combination of some lackluster middle-order batting and some efficient Kiwi bowling in the later part of the day. New Zealand openers safely negotiated the five overs they had to at the end of day’s play.
Day four can prove to be an interesting one as Pakistanis will push for wickets while the New Zealanders will be desperate for quick runs. Even a draw in this game will give Pakistan the series. There is a good chance of rain on day four something which is going to be good news for Pakistan as they aim to win their first Test series since December 2006.
Star of the day: Pakistan needed an assured innings from their captain Misbah-ul-Haq and provided the team with just that. Misbah was edgy to start with but gradually got into his groove and started to play his shots more authoritatively. He added 142 runs for the fourth wicket with Younis Khan as Pakistan’s position strengthened. Misbah was eventually dismissed for 99 just one short of what would have been his third Test ton.
Moment that Mattered: At 286-3 Pakistan were going great guns but Younis Khan was given out wrongly and it triggered a collapse for the visitors. Younis went for 73 and then the rest of the middle order couldn’t stand up to some tidy bowling by Daniel Vettori and Chris Martin. The last six wickets fell for 90 runs for Pakistan.
