Conway and Latham ruled out an early breakthrough to Pakistan, sharing a century ahead of the home side making a chance on Tuesday.
Devon Conway and Tom Latham formed an unbroken opening 165 partnership to lead New Zealand’s strong response to Pakistan’s first innings of 438 in Tuesday’s Opening Test in Karachi.
Conway batted in 82 after completing 1,000 Test runs in 19 innings, the fastest record by a New Zealand batsman.
Latham went 78 for 273 for New Zealand who scored an over for 3.5 runs.
After Pakistan restarted with his 317-5 on his second day at home his captain Babar his Azam fell in his first over but the lower tier was Aga he Salman’s first Test 100 led by a strong battle.
Babarr failed to make a score of 161 overnight and was hampered by Tim Southey’s bowling, but the collapse New Zealand had hoped for did not materialize.
Agha hit with a tail render, turning the shot expertly and putting up 100 for back-to-back fours against spinner Ish Sodhi.
Aga was the last Pakistani wicket to fall, being caught by Southey (3-69) after trying to hit a bowler at mid-wicket. Agha’s challenging 103 included his 17 fours.
Conway and Latham shared a century ahead of him in denying Pakistan early breakthroughs and home his side creating chances. Conway, who was 57th, tried to shoot left spinner Nauman Ali, but Pakistan rejected the appeal of a half-hearted catch.
Nauman appeared convinced that Conway had edged the ball, and subsequent replays confirmed that.
Conway and Latham had little trouble dealing with Ahmed in his young Pakistani spinner Abrar, who took 17 wickets in his two matches in his series debut against England earlier this month.
Babar himself pitched his three overs, but his part-time off-spin did not yield a breakthrough.