Three quick wickets from New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult has left the Pakistan cricketers struggling on 129 for 7 at the end of the third day of their opening Test in Christchurch.
The visitors now lead the Black Caps by 52 runs with only three wickets remaining, after losing four batsman in the space of five overs.
New Zealand's Trent Boult appeals for a wicket. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Pakistan had looked to have taken control of the game when they dismissed New Zealand for 200 before lunch and lost just one wicket in their first 40 overs at the crease.
But after tea, with the tourists resuming on 50 for 1, the New Zealand bowlers found their stride with a flurry of late wickets swinging the game back in the home side's favour.
Neil Wagner was the first to fire after tea, getting Babar Azam (29) caught behind to bring up his 100th Test wicket and then dismissing Younis Khan shortly after for just a single run.
His replacement, captain Misbah ul-Haq, only managed 13 runs before he was caught on the boundary off Tim Southee's bowling.
Boult then dismissed opener Azhar Ali (31), Sarfraz Ahmed (2) and Mohammad Amir (6) in quick succession to boost the Black Caps hopes remarkably heading into the fourth day.
Earlier in the innings, debutant Colin de Grandhomme dismissed opener Sami Aslam (7) to take his overall match haul to seven wickets.
Look back at how the day unfolded here.
Black Caps celebrate Colin de Grandhomme taking a wicket. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Caps started the day on 104 for 3, with opener Jeet Raval at the crease on 55 alongside Henry Nicholls on 29.
But Pakistan struck early, claiming the wicket of Nicholls lbw in just the third over of the day after he had added just one more run to his total.
The wickets then fell steadily, with debutant Raval joining Nicholls in the sheds in the next over, and only some power hitting from Colin de Grandhomme (29) and Tim Southee (22) inflated the lead.
Neil Wagner (21) was the last man out, while Trent Boult was left on three not out.
Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Amir all shared the wickets for Pakistan.
- RNZ, Reuters
