Haris Sohail struck 10 boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 81

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan batsmen Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali both made 81 to give their side the upper hand over New Zealand on the opening day of the second Test in Dubai.

Choosing to bat first, Pakistan got off to a dismal start as opener Mohammad Hafeez was caught by Tom Latham off the bowling of Colin de Grandhomme for nine runs.

Imam-ul-Haq, who opened the batting with Hafeez, also made nine runs before he was dismissed in the same manner.

Azhar and Sohail stabilised the innings with a 126-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their fifties, before Azhar was run out by Tim Southee, who was the substitute fielder, for 81, which came off 187 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.

Azhar Ali scored his 31st Test fifty

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Asad Shafiq only scored 12 runs before he was caught by Neil Wagner at backward point off the bowling of Ajaz Patel.

Sohail and Babar Azam managed to forge an unbeaten 33-run stand before stumps was called.

Sohail finished on 81, which came off 240 balls and included 10 boundaries, while Azam remained undefeated on 14, which came off 27 deliveries and included two boundaries.

De Grandhomme was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Patel claimed one.

Pakistan ended day one on 207/4 and will continue batting on Sunday at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.