An unbeaten half-century for Umar Akmal helped steer Pakistan to 165 for five against New Zealand as they chase victory on the final day of the opening Test.

Aiming for a target of 251, Umar Akmal helped the tourists recover from a precarious position to see them through to tea and set up a tense final session in Dunedin.

Mohammad Yousuf also chipped in with 41 to get Pakistan back on track after they had crumbled to 24 for three at one stage.

Having bowled out the Black Caps at the start of the day, Pakistan's reply looked vulnerable before lunch with Shane Bond posing their greatest threat.

Bond had been a thorn in Pakistan's side in their opening innings with a five-wicket haul, and the paceman continued that form with the dismissal of Khurram Manzoor after just four overs.

Brendon McCullum took a stunning one-handed catch behind the wicket, diving low to his right to end Manzoor's stay at the crease on four runs.

Imran Farhat (one) followed six balls later, steering a Chris Martin delivery to Tim McIntosh at second slip.

And when Bond also dismissed Fawad Alam for five, with Peter Fulton providing a safe pair of hands at silly mid on, Pakistan were reeling.

But Yousuf and Umar Akmal finally brought some stability to the batting line-up with a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Yousuf smashed seven fours and a six in his 70-ball stay at the crease before succumbing to a delivery from Martin which was also pouched by McCullum.

Umar Akmal fared better against New Zealand's pace to record his first Test fifty from 113 balls.

Shoaib Malik provided further support at the other end, hitting 32 until he bowed out to a ball from Iain O'Brien, caught by McCullum.

Umar Akmal continued to pose problems for the hosts though and had reached 66 at the tea interval with namesake Kamran Akmal on four not out.

Earlier in the day, Umar Gul claimed the last two wickets to dismiss New Zealand for 153 in their second innings and leave Pakistan with a reachable target.

The Black Caps added just six runs to their overnight score, with O'Brien failing to add to his tally of four when he was trapped leg before wicket by Gul.

Grant Elliott followed two overs later for 25, edging Gul to Kamran Akmal behind the stumps.

Martin was unbeaten on one at the end of the innings with Gul taking three for 41 for Pakistan.

Mohammad Asif had done most of the damage with the ball on day four to finish with figures of four for 43.