Cricket: Khan in command on third day

Younis Khan of Pakistan. File photo / Getty Images

Younis Khan was in such command heading to lunch on the third day of the second test that the New Zealand bowlers would've had to land a good length ball on a piece of real estate the size of a coaster to confuse him.

He looked every bit the batsman who has 28 test centuries, including four in his last six innings, and an average of 53.98 coming into his 95th test. His 53 not out completes his 29th half century.

Azhar Ali played his part too, reaching 35, as Pakistan whittled away their deficit. They reached 118 for two at the end of the first session, 285 runs behind. The most likely mode of dismissal was run out.

Younis used his feet as if he was in a ballroom, stretched forward to sweep like a well-conditioned yogi and watched the ball as if it was going to pinch his lunch. He whipped balls off his hips, drove through the covers with impunity and was fearless leaving his crease.

Mark Craig bore much of the brunt. Younis singled him out to be whacked down the ground for a couple of sixes, one of which required a prolonged search of the shaded stand's mezzanine floor.

The impact of Younis and Azhar's 86-run third wicket partnership will have sobered New Zealand hopes, after two solid days and two early Pakistan wickets.

Ish Sodhi remained the most potent of the New Zealand bowlers, but in excellent batting conditions 'potent' couldn't translate into 'successful'. Finding the Holy Grail line and length was futile. The pair cut if he pitched a fraction short, drove if he pitched a fraction long and worked the ball off their pads if it was angled a fraction more towards leg. The downside for Sodhi is that the benefit he reaped from the footmark rough to bowl left-handed opener Shan Masood will not have as much impact from here. The remaining Pakistani batsmen are all right-handers.

Regardless, the New Zealand spinners will be key, considering 22 of the 32 wickets fell in that fashion during the Pakistan-Australia test at the venue. Also, in six of the seven tests at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium more than 50 per cent of wickets have fallen to spin.

New Zealand faced a long day, especially with Misbah-ul-Haq, a batsman with three consecutive centuries, next in. However, if the visitors can dismiss the trio, the remainder of the Pakistan order might be vulnerable. They've batted below number five just twice in their last six innings.