New Zealand bowled with discipline and, despite Azhar Ali and Younis Khan’s half-centuries, looked set for a lead in the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Wednesday.

Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq in seamer Tim Southee’s penultimate over for 44 to close the third day on 6-281, still trailing by 122 runs on New Zealand’s first innings total of 403.

Sarfraz Ahmed was unbeaten on 28 and Yasir Shah on one in a day when the Pakistani batsmen failed to score big after getting good starts.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi led the New Zealand bowling with 2-65.

Trent Boult, who got the prized wicket of Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq, termed it a good day for New Zealand.

“From our point of view it was a successful day,” said Boult.

“We are in a good position and the focus tomorrow will be to get a good lead to force a result in our favour.”

Pakistan, resuming at 2-34 saw off the first session without losing any wicket as Younis Khan (72) and Azhar Ali (75) shared a 113-run stand for the third wicket.

But New Zealand got four wickets in the next two sessions to press home their claims for a useful lead and in turn improve their chances for a series-levelling win.

Pakistan won the first Test by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi.

The third and final Test begins in Sharjah from November 26.