CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Nov 19: Pakistan added only 44 runs between lunch and tea on the third day of the second cricket test on Saturday as it sought to erase New Zealand's first innings lead of 67 runs.
The tourists went to tea at 50-1, still 17 runs behind New Zealand with Babar Azam 23 not out and Azhar Ali unbeaten on 19.
New Zealand was all out for 200 in reply just before lunch Saturday and Pakistan edged to 6-0 in the six overs they had to survive before that interval.
Lack of conservation area for rare tea plant
Pakistan adopted a cautious approach in the 35 overs bowled during second session, adding only six runs in the first 40 minutes against the bowling of Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme.
De Grandhomme, who took 6-41 in the first innings — the best-ever figures by a New Zealander on test debut — claimed his seventh wicket of the match when he dismissed opener Sami Aslam for 7. He had 1-14 from seven overs at tea for match figures of 7-55.
Tim Southee bowled superbly for New Zealand on either side of lunch and had no wicket for 10 runs from 11 overs at the interval.
The pitch at Hagley Oval was soft and green on the first day after being covered for lengthy periods because of rain. That suited the seamers from both sides and made life difficult for batsman.
The 55 made by New Zealand opener Jeet Raval on test debut is still the highest score by any batsman in the match so far.
Pakistan's frontline seamers were equally able to exploit the conditions during New Zealand's first innings. Rahat Ali took 4-62, Mohammad Amir 3-43 and Sohail Khan, who bowled 22 of the 59.5 overs New Zealand faced, took 3-78.
