Asif puts Pakistan in cruise control

The Pakistan team is eyeing a series-levelling victory against New Zealand after setting a target of 405 runs and again having the New Zealand team on the back foot at 70 for three at stumps on day three of the second Test being played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Pakistan's second innings folded between lunch and tea for 239, when seven wickets toppled for mere 42 runs, though it barely offered a glimmer of hope to a New Zealand side who only managed a meagre 99 during their first visit to the crease on Friday.

New Zealand at 70 for three is still 335 runs adrift, the only consolation being Ross Taylor's continued presence at the crease.

Taylor was at the crease at 15 and Peter Fulton has 12 though both had lives on 13 and three respectively as Pakistan's catching woes continue.

If New Zealand are to complete the fourth highest successful run chase in test history and eclipse their previous best pursuit of 324 for five against Pakistan at Christchurch in 1994, much will rely on New Zealand's only in-form batsman, New Zealand Press Association reported.

Earlier in the day, Iain O'Brien and Chris Martin each took four wickets in Pakistan's innings, which was led by 83 from Mohammad Yousuf and 52 to Umar Akmal.

Pakistan 1st innings 264
New Zealand 1st innings 99
Pakistan 2nd innings
Imran Farhat c Fulton b O'Brien 35
Salman Butt c Taylor b O'Brien 18
Mohammad Yousuf lbw b Martin 83
Misbah-ul Haq c McCullum b O'Brien 33
Umar Akmal c Vettori b Martin 52
Shoaib Malik c McCullum b Elliott 3
Kamran Akmal c McCullum b Elliott 0
Mohammad Aamer c Guptill b Martin 9
Umar Gul c Fulton b O'Brien 1
Mohammad Asif c Taylor b Martin 0
Danish Kaneria not out 0
Extras: (b-4, lb-1) 5
Total: (all out; 86.3 overs)  239

Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-54, 3-131, 4-197, 5-210, 6-210, 7-230, 8-239, 9-239, 10-239 Umar Gul.

 Bowling: Chris Martin 19-4-52-4; Daryl Tuffey 16-3-45-0; Daniel Vettori 25-11-63-0; Ian O'Brien 21.3-4-64-4; Grant Elliot 5-1-8-2.

New Zealand 2nd innings

Martin Guptill b Mohammad Asif 15
Tim McIntosh lbw b Mohammad Asif 2
Daniel Flynn c K Akmal b Mohammad Asif 20
Ross Taylor not out 12
Peter Fulton not out 12

Extras: (b-5, lb-1) 6
Total: (3 wickets; 33 overs) 70

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-36, 3-37

Bowling: Mohammad Aamer 6-1-19-0; Mohammad Asif 11-5-19-3; Danish Kaneria 9-3-8-0; Umar Gul 7-2-18-0.