Brendon McCullum smashed a double-hundred, but Kane Williamson missed his by eight runs as New Zealand posted their highest total against Pakistan in the third Test in Sharjah yesterday.
McCullum hit a 188-ball 202, while Williamson made 192 as New Zealand closed the third day at 637-8 with a world record of 19 sixes to pulverize a hapless Pakistan.
That gave New Zealand a mammoth lead of 286 runs over Pakistan’s first innings total of 351, setting them up strongly for a series-leveling win.
Photo: AFP
Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Abu Dhabi by 248 runs and drawing the second in Dubai.
New Zealand surpassed Australia’s record of 17 sixes in a Test innings against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003. This also becomes the highest total by New Zealand against Pakistan, beating the 563 they made at Hobart in 2003.
Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson and Tim Southee all made 50 to enjoy a dominating day for their team.
In the morning, McCullum became one of only four batsmen to score three double-hundreds in a year.
The New Zealand skipper also created a new second-wicket record for New Zealand in all Test cricket of 297 with Williamson.
McCullum jumped out of his crease to hit Shah over the stadium roof at long-on for his 11th six to complete his double-hundred off just 186 deliveries.
His latest double-ton follows his two against India at home in February.
Michael Clarke (four scores of more than 200 in 2012), Ricky Ponting (three in 2003) and Don Bradman (three in 1930) — all from Australia — are the only other players to have achieved the feat.
It was an innings of full control which battered the Pakistani bowlers into submission, studded with 21 fours and 11 sixes.
McCullum was finally bowled by Shah, much to the relief of the Pakistan bowlers, who were looking for wickets after New Zealand resumed the day on a strong 249-1.
The McCullum-Williamson stand bettered New Zealand’s all-time previous second-wicket stand of 241 held by Andrew Jones and John Wright against England at Wellington in 1992.
Willimson reached his hundred with a sweetly timed on-drive to the boundary off paceman Mohammad Talha.
Williamson hit 23 fours and a six off 243 deliveries and added another 116 for the third wicket with Taylor.
He was finally caught in the slip off Rahat off the first ball after tea.
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