NZ push Pakistan hard in 2nd Test

DUBAI, Nov 19 (AFP): New Zealand bowled with discipline and, despite Azhar Ali and Younis Khan's half-centuries, looked set for a lead in the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai  Wednesday.

Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq in seamer Tim Southee's penultimate over for 44 to close the third day on 281-6, still trailing by 122 runs on New Zealand's first innings total of 403.

Sarfraz Ahmed was unbeaten on 28 and Yasir Shah on one in a day when the Pakistani batsmen failed to score big after getting good starts. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi led the New Zealand bowling with 2-65.

Trent Boult, who got the prized wicket of Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq, termed it a good day for New Zealand.