New Zealand were lifted by the late dismissal of Asad Shafiq following the scalp of Azhar Ali in the evening session as Pakistan reached stumps on 281-6 on day three of the second Test in Dubai.
Pakistan made progress with the bat after a shaky start to their innings, which resulted in the team closing day two on 34-2.
Younis Khan led the attack until he was sent packing by James Neesham for 72, and after tea, the Black Caps tried to take control on the field by snatching the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq.
Trent Boult grabbed his first wicket of the innings by dismissing Misbah, who hit 28 from 55 deliveries, but the biggest scalp of the session came when Ish Sodhi struck.
The 22-year-old stopped Ali in his tracks to bowl the batsman out for 75, leaving Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed (28 not out) to keep Pakistan ticking.
The duo formed a solid partnership, but it was broken by Tim Southee when the bowler dismissed Shafiq, who walked six runs short of a half-century.
Pakistan trail by 122 runs.
