Opener Tom Latham hit a career best 87 amidst a wicket slide to take New Zealand to 186-5 at tea on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
The left-handed opener kept one end intact as New Zealand recovered from a precarious 47-3 after Pakistani spinner Zulfiqar Babar (2-50) and paceman Rahat Ali (2-10) had jolted them in the morning session.
At the break BJ Watling was not out on 13 as New Zealand still need 181 runs to avoid the follow-on after Pakistan put up a big 566-3 declared in their first innings.
Latham, whose previous best of 83 came against the West Indies earlier this year, has so far hit 11 boundaries during his patient 193-ball knock and added 83 for the fourth wicket with Corey Anderson who made 48.
Rahat had Anderson bowled after lunch while Jimmy Neesham was stumped off Mohammad Hafeez for 11.
Babar, who took 16 wickets in the 2-0 rout of Australia last week, dismissed Brendon McCullum (18) with a sharp turner for a slip catch and then had Ross Taylor (nought) out in a similar fashion.
In between Rahat had Kane Williamson (three) bowled off an inside edge to leave New Zealand struggling at 47-3.
Resuming at 15-0, New Zealand batsmen knew they were up for a spin challenge against Babar and leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
McCullum survived a confident leg-before appeal against paceman Imran Khan when on 12 and Pakistan's review against umpire's decision was also wasted.
But Babar provided the break-through with his subtle variation.
Rahat has taken 2-10 with eight of his 11 overs maiden.
The remaining two Tests of the series will be played in Dubai (November 17-21) and Sharjah (November 26-30)