Taylor steadies New Zealand innings

Taylor survived the Pakistan attack as Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah claimed three wickets apiece, leaving the tourists 167 for six with a lead of 177 runs.

Earlier, Sarfraz Ahmed was in inspiring form for the hosts with a hit of 112 as Pakistan were bowled out for a respectable 393.

Resuming on 281 for six and still 122 runs adrift, Pakistan lost Shah in the third over of the day as his decision to miss Tim Southee's delivery came too late and he edged the ball to wicketkeeper BJ Watling for two.

Shah's wicket began a Pakistan collapse as his replacement Ehsan Adil fell for nought two overs later, bowled lbw by Southee as Ahmed was given another new partner at the crease and continued to add to his overnight 28.

He reached his half-century off 70 balls including seven fours, just an over before Pakistan lost Babar for five, caught behind by Watling off Trent Boult to leave the hosts 312 for nine.

Ahmed continued to strike with the bat and celebrated his ton off 153 balls - with 15 fours - as he began to build a strong partnership with Rahat Ali.

But the 27-year-old wicketkeeper finally fell to Brendon McCullum for 112, two overs after lunch, as he hit the ball straight back at the bowler to end a n impressive 10th-wicket partnership of 81 with Rahat Ali and leave Pakistan with a total of 393, 10 runs adrift.

New Zealand struggled to gather momentum as they began their second innings with 50 overs remaining for the day.

Tom Latham, who had impressed with his second century in successive Tests on Monday, failed to back that up as he fell for just nine runs in the 11th over - following a review - when he was caught at leg gully by Asad Shafiq off Shah.

McCullum and new batting partner Kane Williamson (11) were unable to steady the ship as the latter lost his wicket just 19 runs later, caught by Taufeeq Umar at cover to become Babar's first victim.

The wickets then began to tumble for New Zealand as Babar bowled McCullum (45) lbw after a successful appeal and Corey Anderson (nought) followed soon after, bowled by Shah to leave the Black Caps 79 for four.

Taylor began to get a few runs on the board and put on a fifth-wicket partnership of 46 with James Neesham (11) before Babar struck again, dispatching the latter, and Taylor reached his half-century soon after off 63 balls.

Watling (11) survived an appeal but was caught out six overs later by Shafiq at second slip off Shah as Pakistan claimed his late wicket, before Taylor (77 not out) saw the tourists reach 167 for six at stumps - a lead of 177 ahead of the final day.