Pakistan fought their way back into the game after long resistance for Devon Conway to reduce New Zealand to 309/6 at stumps on the opening day of second Test in Karachi.

New Zealand were in commanding position heading into the tea as they were 226/1 with Conway unbeaten at 120, while Kane Williamson was batting at (29). However, Salman Ali Agha turned the things around in the last session as he claimed three big wickets to bring smiles on a few thousand fans, who came to watch on Monday.

The off-spinner claimed the wickets of Conway (122), Henry Nicholls (26) and Daryl Mitchell (3) to level the proceedings for the Men in Green.

At stumps, Tom Blundell was batting at 30, while Ish Sodhi scored 11 as New Zealand reach 309/6.

Earlier, after winning the toss at the National Stadium Karachi, openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway provided a wonderful 134-run stand to put the Blackcaps in the diver’s seat.

The pitch at the National Stadium – where the first Test ended in a tame draw on Friday – has a hint of grass, but Pakistan’s pacers failed to exploit the early moisture.

Latham, who overturned a leg-before decision off pacer Mir Hamza on 42, hit nine boundaries, for his 71.

Pakistan brought on Abrar Ahmed in the ninth over, but there was no sign of turn as Conway smashed a boundary and a six off the spinner’s second over.

The left-hander continued his dominating form with the bat as he notched his fourth Test ton. Meanwhile, Williamson went on to scored 36, as New Zealand head into the tea break with 226 on the scoreboard and nine wickets in hand.

After Salman, Naseem Shah got the prized wicket of Kane Williamson, who scored 36. Abrar Ahmed joined the party with the wicket of Michael Bracewell, who went back to hut without troubling the scorers.

Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali despite bowling superbly, failed to pick a single wicket for the home side. Two catches were also dropped of Hasan’s bowling.

Considering the pre-match assessment of the pitch, Pakistan strengthened their pace attack by bringing in Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali, dropping spinner Nauman Ali and fast-bowler Mohammad Wasim.

New Zealand brought in pacer Matt Henry for Neil Wagner in their only change.

Teams:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed.

New Zealand: Tim Southee (capt), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel.

Umpires: Alex Wharf (ENG), Aleem Dar (PAK)

Tv umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)