All-rounder Corey Anderson denied Mohammad Hafeez a century but Pakistan seemed on course for a big first innings total after cruising to 194 for one at tea on the opening day of their first test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Hafeez fell four runs short of what would have been his sixth test century but the 178 runs he added with opening partner Ahmed Shehzad put Pakistan on top after skipper Misbah-ul-Haq had opted to bat.
Shehzad was batting on 89 at the tea break, eyeing his third test century, while Azhar Ali was on eight as Pakistan dominated the first two sessions of the day.
Their openers survived a few scary moments in the morning session to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers toiling on Sheikh Zayed Stadium's dry track which offered turn on the opening day of the contest.
After pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee had sent down the first eight overs, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum introduced spin from both ends and the ploy nearly paid dividends.
Shehzad came charging down the track against off-spinner Mark Craig only to miss the drift but BJ Watling fumbled behind the stumps and could not collect the ball, allowing the batsman to scurry home.
India-born leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was unlucky when Hafeez's outside edge found Ross Taylor in the slip but a TV replay suggested the ball might have bounced before being collected.
Hafeez pulled Southee to bring up his fifty after lunch while Shehzad took two off Sodhi to complete his half-century.
Hafeez looked set for his century when he was outfoxed by Anderson's clever change of pace and ended up offering a return catch to the bowler. His composed 137-ball knock contained 10 fours.
Pakistan are full of confidence after completing a 2-0 series victory against Australia at the same venue last week and will be looking to continue their rich vein of form in the three-match series against New Zealand.
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