New Zealand tour to Pakistan (UAE) 2018

Pakistan will be playing their sixth Test this year while the Kiwis will don the whites only for the third time this year

New Zealand, set a daunting 280-run target against a potent Pakistan bowling attack were 35-1 after 6.5 overs when rain halted play.

Left-handed batsman Saad Ali has been rewarded for his 144 in the last of the two four-day games against New Zealand A.

On rather docile pitch, pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi recorded his career best bowling of 4-38 which helped Pakistan restrict New Zealand to 209-9.

"I think the new ball is a key part of the game and we know what early wickets can do to chasing totals." - Trent Boult

Pakistan lost the last two games in a 3-2 series defeat in UAE in 2014, before losing 2-0 in 2015, 2-0 in 2016 and 5-0 in January 2018

Todd Astle is doubtful for the remainder of tour as injuries continue to trouble New Zealand.

The 24-year-old, ranked number one in Twenty20s, hit a punishing 58-ball 79 with seven boundaries and two sixes while Mohammad Hafeez hit a 34-ball 53

Pakistan won the first match by two runs in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The third and final match is in Dubai on Sunday.

Paceman Mohammad Amir, who was left out for the Tests and T20Is against Australia following his poor run in Asia Cup, is a notable exclusion