Mohammad Hafeez hit an unbeaten 178 to put Pakistan in charge yesterday on the opening day of their third Test against New Zealand in Sharjah.

Hafeez, who missed the second Test through injury, racked up his seventh Test century as Pakistan closed the day on 281 for three.

He hit three sixes and 23 fours in his 262-ball innings, bringing up his hundred off 130 balls.

New Zealand, who need to win to salvage a draw in the three-match series, had little joy with the ball on a batting-friendly wicket, although the right-arm off spin of Mark Craig claimed two scalps.

Craig struck to remove Shan Masood for 12, bowling Hafeez’s fellow opener between bat and pad, but the man at the other end proved rather harder to dislodge.

He helped the score along to 131 before Craig had Azhar Ali caught at first slip by Ross Taylor for 39.

Younus Khan then fell lbw, playing back to Daniel Vettori, but New Zealand offered a reprieve to Misbah-ul-Haq when he was dropped by BJ Watling behind the stumps on 20.

Misbah was 38 not out at the close, his partnership with Hafeez worth 121 and counting.