The signs were ominous for New Zealand when Taufeeq Umar blazed away on the second day in Pakistan's response to a disappointing performance with the bat by the hosts. His aggressive approach and boundary-filled start underlined how favourable the track was for batting, and how big an opportunity New Zealand missed after they were put in at the toss.
Unlike the opening day, the second began in bright sunshine and the track had dried up considerably to erase what little assistance was on offer in overcast conditions at the start of the Test. New Zealand's fast bowlers needed an early breakthrough and they got one when Mohammad Hafeez edged a Chris Martin delivery that moved away late and was caught brilliantly by Tim McIntosh at slip, who dived to his right to snap a low chance. But Taufeeq was quick to overcome that loss.
With no swing on offer and minimal movement off the pitch, the seamers didn't help their case by doling out overpitched deliveries on the pads that the Pakistan batsmen duly dispatched. Taufeeq, as early as the third over of the innings, cashed in on such a length from Martin, collecting three fours through midwicket, square leg and mid-on. And when Martin altered his line, he was driven through the off side.
If Martin was guilty of bowling too full, Brent Arnel paid the price for pitching too short and was promptly cut and pulled for boundaries by Taufeeq.
Azhar Ali was more measured and his solidity, that was one of the highlights of Pakistan's performance against South Africa in their previous Test series, was on display; he defended confidently, left deliveries well and showed ability with the wrists through a couple of delightful flicks and drives for boundaries.
Pakistan's position of advantage on the second day was set up by an early conclusion to New Zealand's innings. Tim Southee and Kane Williamson had been involved in a fighting partnership on the opening day, saving New Zealand the embarrassment of being bowled out for under 200 on a pitch full of runs. But their resistance ended this morning when Pakistan's seamers made up for the lack of purchase from the pitch by ruffling the batsmen up with short deliveries.
Umar Gul took little time get things going; he got rid of Southee in the day's first over, as the batsman tried to fend off a bouncer, and Williamson fell to Tanvir Ahmed shortly after reaching his half-century, when he top-edged an attempt to work a short ball into the leg side. Ahmed, who finished with four wickets, dismissed Brent Arnel to leave No.11 Chris Martin stranded on 97 runs in Test cricket.
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