New Zealand 24-0 in reply to Pakistan’s 418-5 declared

Dubai, UAE: New Zealand, replying to Pakistan's 418-5 declared, were 24 without loss in their first innings after day two of the second Test on Sunday.

Openers Jeet Raval (17) and Tom Latham (five) were at the crease at the close as New Zealand still trailed by 394 runs with all ten wickets in hand on a grass-less Dubai stadium pitch.

Earlier, Haris Sohial knocked a career best 147 and Babar Azam scored 127 not out as they added 186 for the fifth wicket after Pakistan resumed at 207-4.

Sohail was unbeaten on 143 while Azam was 99 not out as the duo thwarted New Zealand's bowling during their unbroken 182-run stand.

Sohail improved on his previous best of 110 scored against Australia at the same venue last month while Azam passed his previous best of 90, also,  against New Zealand, in 2016.

Sohail took 309 balls to reach the three-figure mark and has so far hit 11 boundaries.

Azam ably supported Sohail with the two so far adding 100 for the unfinished fifth wicket stand, taking Pakistan towards a strong first innings total. 

Azam has five boundaries and a six to his credit.

Pakistan trail the three-match series 1-0 after losing the first Test in Abu Dhabi by a narrow four-run margin.

New Zealand's pace-cum-spin attack toiled hard on a lifeless Dubai stadium pitch. Medium pacer Colin de Grandhomme is the pick of the bowlers with 2-40.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who took seven wickets in the first Test, has figures of 1-71.