Pakistan v New Zealand 2014: Kiwis register thumping win in final match to level Test series

New Zealand defeated Pakistan by an innings and 80 runs at Sharjah to draw the 3-match Test series 1-1, only their third away victory against the opposition in the longer format of the game after getting the better of them at Lahore in 1969 and 1996.

Trailing by 339 runs on Day 4, Pakistan never really recovered from Trent Boult’s triple strikes in the second innings that reduced them to 24/3 in just 8.1 overs. Despite Asad Shafiq’s 148-ball 137, the visitors managed to skittle out Misbah-ul-Haq and Co. for a total of 259.

In the aftermath of Phillip Hughes’ death, the second day was abandoned as a mark of respect to the youngster, and it was decided that the Test would be extended by one day as a result. When play resumed eventually, the atmosphere remained glum with players, still grieving the loss, opting against celebrations. The teams had even decided not to bowl bouncers, as the delivery was what consumed Hughes.

Brendon McCullum

Earlier in the match, opting to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 351 runs after being 284/3 at one point of time, courtesy of off-spinner Mark Craig who picked up 7 wickets in the first innings. In reply, riding on attacking knocks from Brendon McCullum (202 off 188 balls) and Kane Williamson (192 from 244 balls), the Kiwis registered their highest Test score ever – 690/10, with as many as many as six batsmen scoring 50 runs or more.

The Test match also saw the records for the most number of sixes in an innings (22) and in a Test match (35) being broken. McCullum registered the fastest century by a Kiwi player ever, off just 78 balls, and then carried on to break the record for the fastest Test double century as a captain, getting to the feat in only 186 deliveries.

Given below is a list of most number of sixes in a Test match:

Team 1	Team 2	Sixes	Year
Pakistan	New Zealand	35	2014
Pakistan	India	27	2006
Bangladesh	New Zealand	27	2013
New Zealand	Pakistan	24	2014
New Zealand	England	23	2002
Pakistan	New Zealand	22	1976
West Indies	South Africa	22	2010
Australia	England	21	2013
India	Sri Lanka	20	2009
Zimbabwe	New Zealand	20	2011
Bangladesh	Sri Lanka	20	2014

Mark Craig was adjudged as the Man-of-the-Match for his match-haul of 10 wickets and a 85-ball 65 with the bat, while Mohammad Hafeez won the Man-of-the-Series award.

Tough circumstances to play – Brendon McCullum

McCullum said: ‘"Definitely, really tough circumstances to play the Test. Our thoughts were elsewhere. Proud of the guys for sticking together. I think the tone was set with the way we bowled on the second morning. They were 280 for 3, we were behind the eight ball and for us to take seven wickets for not a lot of runs. The circumstances in Australia made us go out there and try and enjoy whatever we could from the game.

“And it obviously gave a huge chance to set the Test up. Not an easy place to tour, we watched the Aussie series keenly. We were destroyed in the first Test. We're pleased to come back like this and hopefully we do well in the one-day series and with the world cup around the corner.”

We were struggling to concentrate – Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq said: "After starting very well during the first day, whatever happened in the second day that was really difficult to concentrate. I was struggling to concentrate, it was really difficult to bat on and carry on. The way we played Test cricket was really awesome. Only in this Test match, one bad day and we were totally out of it. Full credit to New Zealand, they out played us in the way they batted.

“You lose some focus, little loss in concentration and things happen and once momentum goes it is difficult to turn it back. Lot of positives, specially in bowling and batting. In these two series the way everyone scored runs and got hundreds, today's knock from Asad, that hundred was a big plus as well. It's difficult to say anything at the moment, obviously I've been thinking about my future. A big event is coming up, I'm focussing on the World Cup and I'm really thinking about what to do after that. Lets see what I decide in the next couple of months"