Experienced India pacer Zaheer Khan picked up two wickets to reduce New Zealand to 87 for four in their second innings at lunch on the third day of the second and final cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here today.
The morning session of the third day belonged to India as the visitors picked up three New Zealand wickets giving away just 63 runs from 25.1 overs.
The Black Caps now find themselves in a spot of bother as they still trail India by 159 runs with seven wickets remaining. New Zealand won the first Test at Auckland by 40 runs.
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Zaheer (3/28) was the pick of the bowlers for India in the morning session. He was ably supported by Ishant Sharma (0/23) and Mohammad Shami (1/33) as the Indian pace trio bowled tight lines on a pitch that has considerably eased out for batting.
Skipper Brendon McCullum (14 not out) was the crease for New Zealand.
Starting at the overnight score of 24 for one, Kane Williamson and Hamish Rutherford's only purpose was to bat for time and save this Test match.
But their hopes were dashed early, as in only the second over of the day Zaheer struck and removed Williamson, who gave a faint edge to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps. The in-form Kiwi batsman scored only 7 runs off 22 balls.
