Ross Taylor, continuing to profit from a switch to a more side-on, upright stance, was scoring at comfortably over a run a ball, and he had just stroked Amir to the cover boundary to bring up his fifty partnership with Jeet Raval.
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Azam (81 not out) registered his second Test fifty and received good support from Sarfraz Ahmed and Sohail Khan as the visitors managed to reduce the deficit despite losing three wickets in the extended first session.
They may have lost the toss and been sent in on a Hamilton green top, but New Zealand are pretty happy with the state of play in the second Test against Pakistan.
Mitchell Santner contributed 16 to a 33-run stand for the seventh wicket before edging Sohail to Younis Khan in slips.
He went on Saturday to his second half century in as many Tests, matching his achievement of his debut Test in Christchurch last week which New Zealand won by seven wickets.
Southee blasted through the top of the Pakistani batting order with a lovely off stump line, the ball doing just enough from the pitch to coax three edges that were held by players behind the wicket.
Pakistan resumed with goal at 76-5, and Henry Nicholls dropped Sarfraz Ahmed at mid-wicket.
The hosts will resume at Hamilton’s Seddon Park at 2-77 after rain reduced the first day to just 21 overs.
Seamers Imran and Wahab Riaz joined the Pakistan bowling attack Friday as the tourists made the risky decision to omit spinner Yasir Shah who has been a prodigy with 116 wickets in only 20 tests to date.
Sohail Khan promoted to No. 8 for the first time in his Test career, made use of the opportunity to showcase his willow-wielding skills.
Left-arm quick Mohammad Amir had started the test in exquisite fashion, sending down some absolute peaches in his first over.
New Zealand lead the two-Test series 1-0.
New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan believes it will nearly be a first day pitch. Just as he entered the 40s and raised hopes of a similar innings to his match-turning 96 against Sri Lanka in Galle previous year, he steered Neil Wagner straight to second slip, where Jeet Raval clung onto an excellent reflex catch.
Colin de Grandhomme looked in fine touch during his silky 37, Watling was a steady presence during his unbeaten 49 and Southee smacked five fours and a six in his 29.
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By lunch (day two – the first day was rained off yesterday) Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club’s de Grandhomme had taken 3-23 with Pakistan at 88-4.
