Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali both recorded five-wicket hauls to put Pakistan on course for victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.
Hasan took three of the first four wickets to fall, with Yasir castling New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, as the Black Caps slipped to 108-4 in their second innings.
A century stand between Henry Nicholls (55) and BJ Watling (59) frustrated Pakistan but Yasir took four wickets in the space of 15 balls before Hasan cleaned up the tail for his first five-for in Test cricket.
New Zealand’s lurch from 220-4 to 249 all out left a victory target of 176 for Pakistan, whose openers Imam-ul-Haq (25 not out) and Mohammad Hafeez (8 not out) took them to 37 without loss at the end of day three.
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch is not a minefield by any stretch of the imagination, which raises Pakistan’s hopes of gaining a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. However, New Zealand will take confidence from the fact Pakistan lost a Test here last year against Sri Lanka by 21 runs after being set 136 to win.
Pakistan took the second new ball with the total on 201-4 after tea and Yasir had Nicholls caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. In his next over he had Coiln de Grandhomme lbw for three.
Yasir soon ended Watling’s 145-ball innings with another lbw verdict before castling Neil Wagner for nought.
Hasan wrapped up the innings by bowling Ish Sodhi for 18 and Trent Boult caught for nought.
Hasan dedicated his maiden five-for in Tests to bowling coach Azhar Mahmood. “I came in the team at the same time he joined and the hard work he has put with us is outstanding,” he was quoted as saying.
