Pakistan on top of New Zealand as Asif strikes

Pace bowler Mohammad Asif dominated once again and took first three wickets on Saturday as New Zealand managed just 70 of 405 runs required for victory in second cricket Test against Pakistan in Wellington. The hosts bowled Pakistan out for 239 in their second innings on third day, but lost wickets of Daniel Flynn, Tim McIntosh and Martin Guptill.
New Zealand are 335 runs short of what would be fourth- highest winning fourth innings score in Test history. Pakistan, however, will feel confident of levelling the three-Test series. Asif finished the day with three wickets for 19 runs from his 11 overs, McIntosh (two) lasting just four balls before being trapped lbw. Guptill (15) and Flynn (20) added 32 runs for second wicket before Guptill inside edged onto his stumps, and Asif struck once more in next over when Flynn edged to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
It could have been worse for New Zealand but for some poor fielding by Pakistan, for whom captain Mohammad Yousuf and Misbahul-Haq both dropped simple catches. Ross Taylor, who took 14 balls to get off mark with a well-timed boundary, and Peter Fulton survived to the close, and will resume on 15 and 12 respectively on Sunday.
Earlier, Misbah (33) was only Pakistan batsman to fall in the opening session as visitors resumed their second innings on 64-2, having skittled New Zealand for just 99 on Friday. Misbah's thick edge found Brendon McCullum off the bowling of Iain O'Brien, bringing Umar Akmal to the crease for a quickfire half-century from just 32 deliveries. However, Umar holed out off next ball for 52, and New Zealand set about doing damage with the new ball.
Chris Martin took wickets of Mohammad Aamer (nine) and Yousuf (83), after a review overturned umpire Rudi Koertzen's initial rejection of New Zealand's lbw appeal for the latter. Martin found himself on a hat-trick after new batsman Danish Kaneria got a thick edge to slips first ball, but Asif survived to remain nought not out as O'Brien wrapped up Pakistan innings, Umar Gul holing out to Fulton in the deep.