"On this wicket chasing anything over 220-230 will be difficult," all-rounder Jimmy Neesham said.
Ross Taylor's bat was like a chainsaw outside off stump, such was his accurate cutting on his way to 77 not out. He compiled 38 runs between cover point and the wicketkeeper, using the pace of the ball effectively. He also lap swept the spinners as he rebuilt New Zealand's innings from 79 for four. Jimmy Neesham offered support for almost an hour to make 11 but was no match for the turn Zulfiqar Babar generated out of the footmarks.
He entered after witnessing the same horror befall Corey Anderson against Yasir Shah for a duck. There was a puff of dust followed by a rattle of bails. There are definite downsides to being a left-hander here. Watling suffered a popping delivery on 11 which he fended to slip. Spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah both finished with three wickets.
"They're both extremely good bowlers and know these conditions well so it's challenging with that rough created outside the left-hander's off stump," Neesham said.
Both New Zealand openers suffered decision review system setbacks which, without the aid of hotspot or the snickometer, were left to the eyes of television umpire Rod Tucker to adjudicate.
Tom Latham had a Yasir delivery explode out of the pitch, he swept, Asad Shafiq bobbled a catch at leg slip and on-field umpire Ranmore Martinesz gave it out on the basis it hit glove. The replay was inconclusive but, because a decision had been made in Pakistan's favour, Martinesz was given the benefit of the doubt rather than the batsman; a DRS quirk.
Pakistan's review of Brendon McCullum's lbw to Zulfiqar Babar for 45 was the first upheld decision in the match. McCullum looked in form, endeavouring to set a target. To the untrained eye, as well as umpire Paul Reiffel, it looked like it hit bat first. The slow-mo disagreed, and the ball-tracker did the rest.
"Brendon showed the way a lot of batsmen have been getting out to left arm spin and leg spin," Neesham said. "The review system punishes you for using the front pad. Tom's review was a wee bit indecisive either way."
Although a minor point in the context of the test, when McCullum moved to 39 he went past Martin Crowe to become the second-highest run scorer for New Zealand in tests, with 5445. Stephen Fleming has the most with 7172.
Earlier, Sarfraz Ahmed and Rahat Ali set a record 10th wicket partnership against New Zealand, compiling 81 to spoil the visitors' chances of banking a decent lead.
They came together at 312 for nine and advanced their cause to 393, even surviving New Zealand's decision to extend lunch by half an hour.
Ahmed made his third test century in his 12th test. His jubilation was palpable as he careered wildly towards the enclave of Pakistani fans packed into one section of the otherwise empty cauldron. The wicketkeeper-batsman showed control and aggression, gulping up runs as the tail faltered.
He looked every bit his 40-plus average as he coaxed his partners through the final throes. Ahmed, who also made a century against Australia last month, pounced on the New Zealand attack, despite his side being nine wickets down. Ali made a stoic 16.
Ahmed held his bat grip low and snug, ready to rifle his wrists through anything with width. The grasp also helped him loft the ball through the legside or straight. He demonstrated expertise farming the strike. Ahmed faced four balls or more in 12 of the initial 14 overs of their partnership.
His caught and bowled dismissal from Brendon McCullum's bowling gave the New Zealand captain his first wicket in any form of international, provincial or franchise cricket.
New Zealand made progress with three wickets for 31 to initially swing the balance of power in their favour. Tim Southee was the best bowler, advancing his figures to three for 67 from 30 overs. He offered venom, or at least as much as a pace bowler can muster, on a relatively benign wicket.
The spinners had less impact. Craig finished with one for 116 from 27 overs and Sodhi couldn't add to his overnight wicket tally, taking two for 92 from 39.
ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES
