As New Zealand overcame some static Pakistan opposition to dismiss the visitors for 297 at the close of play on the opening day of the second and final test at Christchurch on Sunday, Paceman Kyle Jamieson took five for 69.
The Black Caps won the toss and elected to field on what looked like a Hagley Oval track tailor-made for their attack, still 1-0 up in the series and needing just a draw to climb to the top of the world rankings for the first time.
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At the end of their 101-run defeat in the first test, Pakistan had shown tremendous difficulty and began as they finished at Mount Maunganui on a day mainly untouched by the Christchurch rain with some batting of real intent.
With a superb innings of 93, Azhar Ali led the way, but there were also cameos from Mohammad Rizwan, who was compelled again to stand as captain for the wounded Babar Azam and scored 61, as well as Faheem Ashraf, who struck 48th.
In his first Test innings, left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar stretched the tail with a 62-ball 34 before he top edged a short delivery from Tim Southee just after the second new ball was taken by New Zealand.
In short order, the hosts rattled off the last two wickets to pull up stumps, allowing New Zealand’s openers the night to rest before going out to bat again.
Provided the swing and seam in the ball, the attack by New Zealand must have hoped to have the job done sooner and it looked like they would have as Jamieson tore through the top order of Pakistan to limit the visitors at lunch to 88-4.
The 26-year-old sent back opener Abid Ali, Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam in three overs, the latter with an unplayable ball that the batsman could only fend off his helmet with his hand, bowling with real venom and bounce.
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With a partnership of 88 for the fifth wicket, Azhar Ali and Rizwan stalled the New Zealand attack, during which the stand-in skipper secured his fifth consecutive half century before edging a Jamieson delivery behind.
In the final session, Seamer Matt Henry, brought in to replace the injured Neil Wagner, eventually winkled out Azhar Ali before Faheem Ashraf left to hand Jamieson in six Tests his third five-wicket haul.
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