NZ Evens series

Sharjah: Emotional New Zealand completed an innings and 80 run win over Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Sunday, to level the three-match series 1-1.

Seamer Trent Boult took 4-38 and Mark Craig 3-109 which overshadowed Asad Shafiq`s career best 137 as Pakistan were dismissed for 259 in their second innings in the fading light at Sharjah stadium. 

The win was more praiseworthy in a week when New Zealand were left grieved by Australian batsman Phillip Hughes`s tragic death on Thursday, the day when both teams abandoned second day`s play.

Boult ended Shafiq`s fighting 183-minute knock of 18 fours and six sixes -- his fifth Test century -- with a short delivery.

Craig wrapped up the innings by dismissing Rahat Ali for six to end with match figures of 10-203.

He took 7-94 in the first innings.

Boult struck thrice in the space of 18 balls to leave Pakistan struggling at 24-3 before Craig and Sodhi (2-82) chipped in.

Pakistan won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by 248 runs while the second ended in a draw in Dubai.

Pakistan`s batting failure was miserable on a pitch where New Zealand plundered 690.

Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed (37) tried to take the attack to the New Zealand bowlers with a 73-run stand for the sixth wicket before Sodhi removed Ahmed and Yasir Shah (ten) in the same over before tea.

Shafiq hit Craig for a six and four to reach his hundred off 123 balls to delay the defeat after Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (24) and Misbah-ul Haq (12) in the post lunch session.

Hafeez gave a return catch to Craig while Misbah was adjudged caught behind off the glove on the same bowler and even a referral couldn`t save the Pakistan skipper.

Earlier, Boult had shaken Pakistan at the start of the innings, dismissing Shan Masood (four) in his second over, bowled Azhar Ali (six) in his fourth and trapped Younis Khan for a first ball duck in his fifth in a destructive spell.

Boult`s devastating spell came after New Zealand extended their first innings to 690 in the morning -- their highest-ever total in all Test cricket.

That gave New Zealand a huge 339-run lead over Pakistan`s first innings total of 351 and they pressed home their advantage quickly with Boult`s strikes.

Masood drove uppishly to be caught in the slips while Ali misjudged a sharp incoming delivery which hit the off stump as he tried to leave the ball.

Boult again used the angle well from round the wicket to trap the in-form Younis leg-before. A review could not save the batsman.

New Zealand had added a further 53 earlier in the morning after resuming on 637-8, with Craig (65) becoming the sixth batsmen to reach a half-century -- a record number of 50-plus scores in one innings by Kiwis. 

New Zealand`s innings included a world record 22 sixes, beating the 17 struck by Australia against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003.

In all 35 sixes were hit in the match, beating the 27 shared by Pakistan and India in Faisalabad in 2006.

Pakistan`s much vaunted bowling attack suffered badly, with paceman Rahat Ali taking 4-99 and leg-spinner Yasir Shah conceding 193 runs for his four wickets.

New Zealand`s previous highest Test total of 680-8 came against India in Wellington in February this year.

Both teams now play two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on December 4 and 5 which will be followed by five one-day matches.

NZ PK by the ####s

4 Number of players who have scored three double-centuries in a calendar year; Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and McCullum. McCullum has scored a triple hundred and two double hundreds this year.

186 Balls in which Brendon McCullum got to his double hundred, the fourth-fastest of all time.

297 The partnership between McCullum and Kane Williamson during New Zealand's first innings. This is New Zealand's highest second-wicket stand in Tests, and their fifth-highest for any wicket. This is New Zealand's only 200-plus run stand against Pakistan, for any wicket.

637 New Zealand's score at the end of the third day, their highest in a Test against Pakistan, and third highest ever. New Zealand's previous highest score against Pakistan was 563 at Westpac Park, Hamilton in 2003.

19 Number of sixes that New Zealand hit in their first innings, a record for the most sixes hit by a team in a Test innings. The previous record was 17 sixes, by Australia against Zimbabwe in 2003.

5 Number of New Zealand players who have scored 1000 Test runs and taken 100 wickets; Tim Southee is the fifth. He has taken 128 wickets and scored 1009 runs.

4.9 New Zealand's run-rate during their first innings. This is the second highest rate for a 600-plus scorein Tests. The highest is 5.01, by Australia against Zimbabwe in 2003.

11 Sixes hit by McCullum during his innings of 202. The only player to hit more sixes in an innings is Wasim Akram, 12 sixes, during his innings of 257 not out against Zimbabwe in 1996.

1 Number of New Zealand batsman who have hit four double-centuries; McCullum is the only one. Stephen Fleming had made three scores of 200 or more.

33 McCullum's age, making him New Zealand's oldest double centurion. The oldest double-centurion across countries is South Africa's Eric Rowan, who scored a double hundred against England in 1951, at the age of 42.

3 Batsmen who have scored 200-plus runs in a Test innings at a 100-plus strike rate - McCullum, Nathan Astle and Virender Sehwag (thrice). McCullum scored 202 off 188 balls (SR - 107.4).

8 Number of Test hundreds for Kane Williamson, the most for a New Zealand batsman at the age of 24. Martin Crowe had seven hundreds at the age of 24.

6 Instances of two New Zealand batsmen making 150-plus scores in the same Test innings. The last time was four years ago, versus Bangladesh. If Williamson had scored eight more runs, it would have been the first time two New Zealand batsmen scored double hundreds in an innings.

VIGIN for Phillip Hughes

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Pakistani cricket fans light candles to pay tribute to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in Karachi, Pakistan.

© AP

Karachi: Cricket fans in Pakistan held candlelight vigils here for Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, who died on Thursday in a Sydney hospital after being hit by a bouncer in a domestic match on Tuesday. (Sean Abbott, Man Who Knocked Out Hughes, Broken)

"We are deeply saddened by the untimely and tragic death of Hughes," a cricket fan Shazia said at Clifton, where a candlelight vigil took place on Thursday night. (Waqar Fears for Abbott's Future)

"It is just our way of paying him tribute and remembering him as we feel the pain of his family at these testing times," Nasir Iqbal, another fan, said. (Hughes Joins Ill-Fated Club of Cricketers)

Around 200 fans attended the vigil in Clifton and placed candles and flowers in front of a huge picture of Hughes.

Similar candlelight vigils were held in other parts of the city as well. (Clarke Breaks Down, Australia United in Grief | Pics)

The Pakistan cricket community was united in expressing grief and sadness over the passing away of Hughes after he was hit in the neck by a bouncer from Sean Abbott earlier this week while playing in Sydney. (Hughes Death Hard to Digest for Contractor)

Players from the world over have expressed grief over the incident but said no one could be blamed for what happened.

Live Scores

Captain Brendon McCullum's blazing century gave New Zealand a brisk start on the second day of the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah as the death of Australian Phillip Hughes continued to cast a gloomy shadow over the match. Catch all the live cricket score and live updates of the match here: LIVE SCORECARD

The 33-year-old right-hander (100 not out) completed his 10th Test century, which came off 78 balls, as New Zealand reached 164 for one at tea, replying to Pakistan's first-innings total of 351.

In the morning, Pakistan, leading the series 1-0, appeared distracted by the death of Hughes and lost their last seven wickets for 66 runs as off-spinner Mark Craig (7-94) completed his first five-wicket haul in Tests.

LIVE SCORE - PAKISTAN VS NEW ZEALAND UPDATES

• Last 5 Overs
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!

Play on Day 2 comes to an end. The third session also belonged completely to the Kiwis and what a day it has been for them! They scored 85 runs off 20 overs and did not lose a single wicket. If New Zealand bat in the same way tomorrow, they will be able to surpass Pakistan's first innings score easily and get a healthy lead. An action packed day comes to an end. Well played McCullum and Williamson! That's all for the day! Do join us tomorrow for the third day of the Test match, until then it's good bye.

44.6
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Floated ball on middle and off, McCullum eases it down to the off side. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 2.

44.5
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on middle and off, McCullum defends it off the front foot.

44.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Full ball on off, McCullum gets forward and defends.

44.3
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Tossed up on off again, McCullum yet again defends it off the front foot.

44.2
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Tossed up on off, McCullum leans forward and defends.

44.1
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Williamson has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

43.6
0

RAHAT ALI TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

McCullum works it down the leg side.

43.5
0

RAHAT ALI TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Bowled down the leg side, McCullum does not get a bat to it.

43.4
0

RAHAT ALI TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Full on the stumps, defended back to the bowler by McCullum.

43.3
1

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

A good length ball on the off stump, Williamson tries to drive it but gets an inside edge and the batsmen run in for a single.

43.2
0

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Back of a length ball, punched to mid off by Williamson.

43.1
0

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Length ball outside off, cut to point by Williamson.

42.6
4

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

FOUR! Lucky escape for McCullum! Flighted on off, McCullum lunges forward to defend but gets a faint tickle off the outside edge. It beats the keeper and runs down fine to third man for a boundary. 150 up for McCullum. This is McCullum's 5th 150-plus score in tests.

42.5
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Full toss on off, Williamson drives it to covers where Rahat Ali dives and makes a good stop to limit them to a single.

42.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Floated on off, Williamson leans forward and defends.

42.3
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on off, McCullum goes down on one knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

42.2
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Floated outside off, McCullum defends it to point.

42.1
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Short ball, Punched to long on for a single.

41.6
1

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Back off a length, Flicked by Williamson to square leg for a single.

41.5
0

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Full length ball outside off, Williamson lets it go to the keeper.

41.4
0

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Length ball, angling away, defended by Williamson off the back foot.

41.3
0

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Ouch! Short ball, Williamson tries to pull it but the ball hits him a little below the ribs.

41.2
0

RAHAT ALI TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Full length ball on the pads, Williamson defends it back to Ali.

41.1
1

RAHAT ALI TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Length ball on the middle, McCullum comes down the wicket and hits it to the covers for a single.

!

The only wicket taker, Rahat Ali comes back to bowl.

40.6
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Floated on off, McCullum goes down on one knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

40.5
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on middle, McCullum gets in line and defends.

40.4
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Full toss on leg stump, Williamson helps it off his pads to square leg for a single.

40.3
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.

40.2
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Fullish on off, Williamson plays this across to mid-wicket for a single.

40.1
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Tossed up on off, Williamson gets behind and defends off the back foot.

39.6
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat outside off, McCullum drives it to the covers.

39.5
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

McCullum drives the ball straight down the ground.

39.4
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Williamson drives this low full toss to long on for a single.

39.3
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Loopy ball, defended by Williamson off the front foot. run.

39.2
1

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Tossed up outside off, McCullum drives it gently to backward point for a single.

39.1
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Short and flat on middle, Williamson plays it to mid-wicket for a single.

38.6
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flat on middle and leg, Williamson punches it off the back foot to long on for a single.

38.5
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

The batsman plays a sweep shot. They have run through for a single.

38.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on off, McCullum looks to sweep but does not make any contact and is struck on his pads.

38.3
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Tossed up on middle and leg, Williamson goes back and punches it to square leg for a single.

38.2
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Floated on off, Williamson defends off the back foot.

38.1
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on middle and leg, McCullum plays this across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

37.6
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

One more forward defensive shot by Williamson.

37.5
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Fligted ball, defended off the front foot by Williamson.

37.4
1

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Short ball on the leg side, McCullum punches it off the back foot to long on for single.

37.3
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Williamson gets a single on the off side.

37.2
1

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flighted ball outside off, McCullum comes down the wicket and lofts it over the in field and gets a single.

37.1
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Spinning away outside off, Williamson plays it to mid on for a single.

36.6
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Floated ball on off, McCullum lunges forward and defends.

36.5
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on middle, McCullum leans forward and defends.

36.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flat on middle, McCullum Shuffles across and dabs it down to mid-wicket.

36.3
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

36.2
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Floated on middle, McCullum taps it down to point.

36.1
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flat on off, Williamson punches it off the back foot to mid on.

!

Drinks Break!

35.6
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flatter and fuller on middle, McCullum just pushes it back to Shah to end the over.

35.5
4

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

FOUR! Hammered! This time he sweeps against the turn well past short fine leg and finds the fence with ease.

35.4
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Another floated delivery on middle, McCullum lunges forward and blocks again.

35.3
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Ripping leg-break on leg, McCullum comes forward and defends.

35.2
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Sweeps fine but straight to short fine leg.

35.1
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flat and short outside off, cut away to the sweeper on the off side for a single.

34.6
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

McCullum defends this ball off the back foot. One more maiden for Hafeez!

34.5
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Slow and tossed up, well played by McCullum.

34.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

McCullum shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

34.3
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

A good forward defensive shot by McCullum.

34.2
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flighted delivery, McCullum dances down the pitch and blocks it.

34.1
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Loopy ball outside off, McCullum lunges forward and defends.

33.6
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

33.5
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Tossed up nicely outside off, Williamson resists the temptation and allows it through.

33.4
1

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

And there comes the conventional sweep now, through square leg for a single.

33.3
0

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Goes for another reverse sweep, the ball bounces and comes off his gloves and on to his pads now.

33.2
4

YASIR SHAH TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

FOUR! Just no stopping this man! Shah comes in from round the wicket and angles it wide of off, McCullum brings out the reverse sweep and hits it cleanly towards the third man fence.

33.1
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flatter on middle and leg, Williamson leans back and punches it to long on for one.

32.6
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flighted delivery outside off, edged by Williamson to third man for a single.

32.5
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Short and flat on the pads, McCullum sweeps it to long leg for a single.

32.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flighted ball, McCullum comes down the track and defends it.

32.3
1

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Quicker through the air, Williamson sweeps this one for a single.

32.2
2

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flighted ball on the pads, Williamson clips it to fine leg for a couple.

32.1
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flighted ball on middle and leg, Williamson plays it to short leg.

31.6
1

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Floated on off, Williamson punches it off the back foot to mid on for a single.

31.5
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flat on off, Williamson leans forward and defends.

31.4
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Flighted outside off, Williamson leaves it alone.

31.3
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

31.2
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Floated on off,, Williamson lunges forward and defends.

31.1
4

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

FOUR! Worked away to perfection! Flat on off, Williamson gets behind the line and flicks it sweetly off his pads to the mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

30.6
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Short and flighted outside off, McCullum defends it off the back foot. Second maiden of the innings. Well bowled, Hafeez!

30.5
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

McCullum defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

30.4
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.

30.3
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Similar ball, played in the similar manner by McCullum.

30.2
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Flighted ball on the stumps, McCullum defends it off the front foot.

30.1
0

MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ TO BRENDON MCCULLUM

Off break outside the off stump, driven by McCullum to short extra cover.

!

Hafeez comes in to bowl in place of Babar.

29.6
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Tossed up on off, Williamson gets forward and defends.

29.5
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Played to the point region by the batsman.

!

14th Test fifty for Kane Williamson.

29.4
4

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

FOUR! Lovely shot! Flat on middle and off, Williamson waits back in his crease and cuts it late to the deep point fence for a boundary.

29.3
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Floated on off, Williamson gets in line and defends.

29.2
0

YASIR SHAH TO KANE WILLIAMSON

Floated on middle and off, Yasir gets some turn there which takes Williamson by suprise as it just misses the outside edge.