Pakistan eye huge win in 1st Test

New Zealand require another 306 runs to win the opening Test in Abu Dhabi but have just two wickets left.

All five Pakistan bowlers have picked up wickets in New Zealand's second-innings [Getty Images]

Pakistan are on the cusp of a huge victory in the first Test against New Zealand after reducing the Black Caps to 174-8 in the second-innings on the fourth day.

Chasing a near impossible 480-run target on a slow, turning pitch, New Zealand’s top-order crumbled against the spin duo of Zulfiqar Babar (2-30) and Yasir Shah (2-49) before falling to the reverse swing of Rahat Ali (2-38).

Pakistan declared at 175-2 for an overall lead of 479 runs after Mohammad Hafeez smashed his first Test century in two years, hitting 12 boundaries and two sixes in his 130-ball knock.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum top-scored with 39, but once Babar broke through the opening stand of 57, only tail-enders Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig showed late resistance and remained unbeaten on 27 each, still trailing Pakistan by 306.

Sodhi and Craig defied Pakistan spinners for nearly an hour, after the Kiwis were 138-8 and it looked like Pakistan would wrap up its third successive Test victory in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan defeated Australia 2-0 in the preceding Test series with a 356-run victory in the second Test at the same venue.

Source: AP