Having lost the 1st Test at Lahore, Pakistan needed to win the 2nd Test to ensure that they would draw the series.
Pakistan won the toss and put New Zealand into bat. It would turn out to be a good decision as Mushtaq Ahmed and Mohammad Zahid troubled the New Zealand batting lineup, dismissing them for a well-below par 249.
In response, Pakistan lost opener Zahoor Elahi early, but captain Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed came together to score 262 runs for the 2nd wicket partnership. Ijaz Ahmed scored 125 and Saeed Anwar ended with 149 as Pakistan racked up 430 in their 2nd innings.