Ton-up Azhar lifts Pakistan to 224-3 in third Test

ABU DHABI: Azhar Ali finished his century dry season to put Pakistan not far behind New Zealand's first-innings add up to in the third and last Test in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old was unbeaten on 111 for his fifteenth hundred and first since May a year ago, directing Pakistan to 224-3 at lunch on the third day, only 50 behind New Zealand's aggregate of 274.

At the break, Asad Shafiq was unbeaten on 55, helping Azhar include 139 for a whole fourth wicket remain as Pakistan look for a major lead to drive an arrangement securing win.

The three-coordinate arrangement is tied at 1-1.

Azhar edged medium pacer Colin de Grandhomme through the slips for his ninth limit to finish his first century after 18 desolate innings.

Azhar, whose last hundred was against the West Indies in Dominica in May 2017, took 210 balls to achieve the three-figure stamp.

He has so far stuck 10 limits while Shafiq has seven in his 22nd 50 years.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson took the second new ball in the 81st over with Pakistan serenely set at 213-3, yet nothing worked for the bowlers on a level Sheik Zayed Stadium pitch.

Continuing at 139-3, Azhar hit Trent Boult for a limit off the primary wad of the day and after that smacked spinner Ajaz Patel for another to enter the eighties.

Boult has figures of 2-54 while individual paceman Tim Southee has taken 1-39.