Southee finished with figures of 6-80 off 21 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
A six-wicket haul for Tim Southee saw New Zealand keep hold of a 55-run lead over Pakistan before rain cut play short for the day in Hamilton.
Starting off the day on 76/5, Pakistan batsman Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed converted their 25-run partnership into a 74-run stand, during which Azam brought up his half-century, before Sarfraz was dismissed by Neil Wagner for 41.
Azam and Sohail Khan kept the runs flowing with a 67-run partnership before Sohail was caught behind off the bowling of Southee for a rapid 37.
Wahab Riaz fell shortly after before an early lunch was taken due to a passing shower. Approximately 40 minutes later, the players were back on the field, but only only stayed there for four balls as the rain came again. On this occasion, it was nearly three hours later that the players finally came back on the field.
Despite the frustrating interruptions, New Zealand continued their charge as they removed Mohammad Amir and Imran Khan in quick succession. As a result of this, Azam was left stranded on a career-best 90, which came off 196 balls and included 10 boundaries, as Pakistan were bowled out for 216.
Azam scored his second Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Southee was the pick of the bowlers with six wickets, while Wagner snapped up three and Colin de Grandhomme chipped in with one.
With a 55-run lead in hand, only one ball was bowled in New Zealand’s second innings before the rain returned and the umpires decided to bring play to an end for the day.
New Zealand ended day three on 0/0 and will continue batting on Monday at 10:30 local time or 21:30 GMT (the previous day).