Boult finished with figures of 3-18 off 15 overs

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult took three wickets to leave Pakistan in all sorts of trouble and put his side in a prime position to go 1-0 up in the series on the third day in Christchurch.

Boult struck thrice late in the day as Pakistan hold a slender 62-run lead in their second innings with just three wickets in hand.

Starting off the day on 104/3, New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls, who made 30, and debutant Jeet Raval, who scored 55, were dismissed early on in the opening session.

Just as New Zealand were beginning to recover from the two quick strikes, debutant Colin de Grandhomme, who starred on the first day by taking a six-wicket haul, and Todd Astle were removed for 29 and a duck respectively.

Wicketkeeper BJ Watling managed to make 18 runs, while Tim Southee and Neil Wagner added 22 and 21 runs respectively as the Black Caps were bowled out for 200, which gave them a 67-run lead.

Rahat Ali was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Mohammad Amir and Sohail Khan chipped in with three wickets apiece.

Trailing by 67 runs, Pakistan got off to a cautious start before opening batsman Sami Aslam was caught behind off the bowling of De Grandhomme for seven runs.

Babar Azam scored an encouraging 29 before he fell to Wagner. Azam’s dismissal sparked Pakistan’s collapse as Wagner went on to take out Younis Khan for one run before Southee came in and sent captain Misbah-ul-Haq packing for 13.

Boult then joined the party as he dismissed Azhar Ali, wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and Amir in quick succession to leave Pakistan reeling at 105/7.

Sohail and Asad Shafiq guided their side safely to stumps as they amassed an unbeaten 24-run partnership.

Sohail finished on 22 off 18 balls, which included three boundaries and a six, while Shafiq remained undefeated on six off 18 deliveries, which included one boundary.

Boult was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Wagner snapped up two and Southee and De Grandhomme claimed one wicket each.

With his two wickets, Neil Wagner became the second-fastest New Zealand player to take 100 Test wickets as he needed just 26 Tests to do so. Richard Hadlee holds the record as he achieved the feat in 25 Tests.

Pakistan ended day three on 129/7 and will continue batting on Sunday at 10:30 local time or 21:30 GMT (the previous day).