Mohammad Asif has been exceptional since his return to Test cricket. On day two, Pakistan needed an outstanding effort from the bowlers after the batsmen failed. Mohammad Asif took the lead and bowled fabulously to give Pakistan an upper hand by the end of day two. Asif was at his languid best seaming the ball to the utmost discomfort of the Kiwi batsmen throughout the day. The conditions were suitable for seam bowling and Asif used them to the fullest and made the Black Caps commit mistakes and pay the penalty. Its really great to see Asif teaming up with Mohammad Aamer to form a potent new ball pair. First Asif removed Tim McIntosh getting him caught at square leg with a ball that came in. He could have had Daniel Flynn as well but Salman Butt missed a sitter. Asif had his man after tea when Flynn was trapped leg before for a rough 29. And the very next ball, Asif got rid of the dangerman Brendon McCullum for naught. Asif made McCullum drive the ball and the batsman got the edge and was caught in the slips. Asif took another wicket of Daryl Tuffey to end with excellent figures of 4-40 off 12.5 overs as New Zealand were bundled out for just 99. Pakistan gained a valuable lead of 165 runs which can be very vital in the outcome of this Test. Asif has taken 12 wickets in the series so far at an awesome average of 15.91 and is the best bowler from both sides. Asif will be required to give another super performance as Pakistan aim to win the Test and level the series. Pakistan takes dominance on day two Pakistan needed an extraordinary performance on day two to revive their fortunes not only in this Test but also in the series. And Mohammad Yousuf and his men achieved just that. Pakistan started the day at in a shaky position and vice captain Kamran Akmal stroked his way to his 11th Test half-century, and the tail-enders showed encouraging resistance to add 103 runs to their overnight score of 161. Akmal and Umar Gul (31) added 64 runs for the eighth wicket after Mohammad Aamer had departed for 21. Akmal fell for 70 and soon Pakistan innings folded at 264. With the ball Pakistan needed to strike early and Mohammad Aamer provided the breakthrough in the first over when he accounted for Martin Guptill for a duck. From here on Mohammad Asif took over and started from where he had left after removing Tim McIntosh. Umar Gul also joined the party seaming the ball at good pace and bowling out Ross Taylor. Gul then removed Peter Fulton leaving New Zealand wobbling at 77-4 at tea. And after the tea it was Asif and Kanerias demolishing act. New Zealand were skittled out for just 99 - their second lowest total against Pakistan at home. The last six New Zealand wickets fell for only 14 clearly indicative of the fine bowling performance by Pakistan. Mohammad Asif was again the best bowler with 4-40 while Danish Kaneria took 3-6. In contrast to Pakistan first innings where the top order fell to rash shots, the New Zealanders were done in by some fine spells of bowling. All the Pakistani seamers made full use of the seam and movement in the pitch as Pakistan took a very substantial 165 runs lead. Second time round Pakistan openers added 49 runs to give the team another good start before both Salman Butt (18) and Imran Farhat (35) fell to Ian OBrien. Pakistan ended the day at 64-2 with Mohammad Yousuf (10) and Misbah-ul-Haq (1) at the crease. Pakistans lead has swelled to 229 with eight wickets in hand. The bowlers have set it up nicely for Pakistan and New Zealand face a tough ask on day three. Anything over 300 will be difficult to chase for New Zealand. Pakistan now should finish off this game rather than messing it up and committing Harakiri which they have often done of late. Nabeel Sabir