Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 3 Highlights: 9-Down Pakistan Trail NZ By 42 Runs

The third innings is set to begin. Pakistan players take the field. Followed by Tom Latham and Devon Conway who walk out to open for New Zealand.

... Third innings ...

Right then, the Kiwis wrap things up in just a single over, as Ish Sodhi takes the final wicket to hand his side a lead of 41 runs when they come out to bat. Pakistan could cross the 400-run mark thanks to Saud Shakeel's long stay at the crease. He managed to hold one end intact by facin 341 deliveries. He played a crucial knock to et his side back into the game. Sarfaraz Ahmed also imprssed with his half-ton but could not convert it into three digits. For Kiwis, it is their spinners that worked well in tandem and caused all kinds of problems in the final session of moving day. They picked up 4 wickts in that session to put Pakistan 9 down. On the morning session, they did not waste much time to take the final wicket. New Zealand now have to bat throughout the day and score at a brisk rate, if they wish to win this Test match. Do join us shortly for New Zealand's response.

OUT! LBW! So, Ish Sodhi gets the final wicket here. Abrar Ahmed takes the review instantly. It is tossed up, around off, turns in a touch. Abrar Ahmed tries to defend it out but misses. He gets rapped on his pads. It looks plumb and the umpire raises his finger. The review also does not save the batter here as the Ball Tracking confirms three reds.

Flatter one, on off. Saud Shakeel rocks back and hit it down to long on. They take one.

Saud Shakeel goes back and works it to the leg side.

On middle and leg, nudged to mid-wicket.

Sarfaraz Ahmed tries to sweep but misses.

Floats it up, wide of off. It grips and turns in. Shakeel defends it back to the bowler.

The morning session on Day 4 is set to begin. Both the umpires make their way out on the field. The Kiwis players are seen to be in a huddle before taking the field. Soon, Saud Shakeel and Abrar Ahmed walk out with their blades. It will be Ish Sodhi to start with the ball.

The New Zealand bowlers toiled hard through the day with Tim Southee taking the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq in the first session and Daryl Mitchell claiming the scalp of Sarfaraz Ahmed just before Tea. Late in the day, as the ball started to get older, the spinners began to come into play which allowed Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi to claim two wickets each. Tom Latham dropped a golden opportunity to dismiss the centurion off Tim Southee’s bowling and put down another tough chance at silly point later. The Kiwis will want to make sure they take their opportunities in the field especially when it is offered so sparingly. After a sluggish start, the moving day of Test cricket gathered momentum right at the end and we now anticipate a thrilling morning session on Day 4. Stay tuned.

Hello, and welcome back, ladies and gentlemen to our coverage of Day 4 of the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts looked like they were in the driver's seat for most of Day 3 but they seemed to be maneuvering this game toward a draw. They managed to preserve their wickets losing just two up until the last hour of the day. They maintained a low scoring rate and despite playing throughout the entire day they are still 42 runs behind the New Zealand score. They suffered a collapse just before stumps losing 4 wickets for 12 runs but the centurion Saud Shakeel is still unbeaten and Pakistan will be hoping he can frustrate the visitors.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

New Zealand were made to toil hard in the sun throughout the moving day but they head back with smiles across their faces. As the second new ball became older, it started to find some assistance off the deck. Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi bowled in tandem which finally paid dividends once Ajaz Patel got rid of Agha Salman. This wicket was the turning point of this day, because the hosts were unable to keep things under control. The two spinners combined for four wickets - two each. This will surely revive the hopes of the vistors and would be eager to take the final wicket early on Day 4. Kiwis might feel they have their noses in front here, although there is still a long way to go for us to get a concrete result. Do join us on 5th January 2023 at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT) to find out how things pan out in the morning session on Day 4. Until then, take care and goodbye.

Not a great end to the day for Pakistan. This game has slightly tilted in favour of New Zealand as the hosts still trail by 42 runs. Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman came out to bat in the post-Tea session and started really well by putting away the bad balls. Although, once this stand was broken, Saud Shakeel could hardly find an able partner and witnessed his team falling apart from one end. Now, it is all down to him as Pakistan will hope he can continue well alongside Abrar Ahmed in the morning session on Day 4 and frustrate New Zealand by giving them a taste of their own medicine just as Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel troubled them in the first innings for the final wicket.

An riveting session of Test cricket. It is the visitors who head back into the dressing room as the happier side. Pakistan will be a tad disappointed with the way their lower-middle order succumbed to the spin attack. This session saw a total of 31 over being bowled wherein Pakistan scored 70 runs but also lost 4 wickets to put them in a precarious position.

This is full, coming in with the arm, Abrar Ahmed prods and blocks it to the leg side. So, Abrar Ahmed does defend the final delivery solidly and THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3.

A single now as this is swept to square leg. Abrar Ahmed needs to survive one delivery before stumps.

Fuller, just outside off. Shakeel goes back and smothers it out.

Flatter, outside off. Shakeel plays it late to point.