Surprise declaration sees Pakistan set New Zealand 138-run target

Pakistan have declared their second innings 311-8 and have set New Zealand a target of 138 runs in the ongoing first Test in Karachi.

Pakistan were in a spot of bother after being reduced to 206-7 but Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim Jr stitched a valuable partnership of 71 runs for the eight wicket to keep the home side alive. 

Shakeel was unbeaten on 55 runs at the time of declaration, meanwhile Wasim made 43 runs. 

Earlier, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi registered his first five-wicket haul Friday as New Zealand pressed for victory over Pakistan.

Sodhi finished with figures of 6-86 in 37 overs. 

The 30-year-old, playing his first Test in four years, turned the match in New Zealand´s favour with three wickets in the post-lunch session to leave Pakistan on 249-7 at tea, with a lead of only 75 runs.

Sodhi took advantage of a weary last-day National Stadium pitch with figures of 5-66.

He dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed (53), Agha Salman (six) and Imam-ul-Haq (96) in the space of 27 balls for the addition of just 21 runs.

Haq and Sarfaraz had added a defiant 85 runs for the fifth wicket and raised hopes of salvaging a draw for the home team before Sodhi struck.

He had Sarfaraz caught behind, bowled Salman, then got Haq stumped to leave Pakistan on 206-7.

Haq, who survived lbw referrals off the bowler on 58 and 74, cracked 10 boundaries and a six in his sixth half-century, while Sarfaraz had seven hits to the rope.

So incensed was he by his dismissal, Haq smashed a chair with his bat on the way to the dressing room.

Resuming on 77-2, Pakistan lost nightwatchman Nauman Ali early, trapped leg-before by spinner Michael Bracewell.

Then skipper Babar Azam — who scored 161 in Pakistan´s first innings of 438 — was out the same way to Sodhi for 14.

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