The Black Caps need just nine wickets to complete the perfect summer of test cricket.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Chasing an improbable 362 to make New Zealand bat again after the home side posted 659 for 6 declared in their first innings, Pakistan were 8-1 after day three of the second and final test in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Kyle Jamieson picked up the lone Pakistan wicket to fall in the 11 overs they faced before stumps, removing opener Shan Masood caught in the slips for a duck.
The day, though, belonged to a trio of Black Caps batsmen in what was New Zealand's fifth highest team total in test matches.
Kane Williamson yet again led the way, reaching his fourth test double century and getting to his third highest test score of 238 before he was eventually removed.
The skipper had combined in a 369-run fourth-wicket partnership with Henry Nicholls, who hit his seventh test ton before falling for 157.
The partnership, taking the Black Caps from 71-3 through to 440-4 was the highest ever in tests against Pakistan, the third highest in test cricket for New Zealand and the highest for the fourth wicket in tests for New Zealand.
And the celebrations for the home side didn't end there.
Playing in just his fourth test, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell capitalised on the platform laid by Williamson and Nicholls to bring up his maiden test century.
Mitchell, coming in at No 7, was afforded a couple of extra overs by Williamson to get to three figures, eventually finishing unbeaten on 102 as the captain made the declaration.
New Zealand, who won both tests against the West Indies and the first test against Pakistan, need only a draw in the second test to officially go to the top of the world test rankings.
Victory, though, seemed the most likely result, which would give them the best possible chance of making June's inaugural World Test Championship final.