30th December, Sharjah: New Zealand beat Pakistan by an innings and 80 runs in the third Test at Sharjah, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Pakistan were all out for 259 on the fourth day. The highlight of the inning was brilliant ton by Asad Shafiq (137). For New Zealand, Trent Boult took 4-38 and Mark Craig 3-109.
Earlier,New Zealand had compiled their biggest-ever Test total of 690.Skipper Brendon McCullum smashed 202 while Kane Williamson made 192 to give New Zealand a decisive 339-run lead.
Pakistan won the first Test by 248 runs in Abdu Dhabi while the second Test ended in a draw.
Quotes
Brendon McCullum: It was a good result. Tough circumstances to play a game in. The guys stuck together and played well. Pakistan are a tough opponent in these conditions. We will look back at this result and be pleased with it. We will be looking forward at the One Day series with the World Cup coming up, it will be good practice. I think it will be his (Daniel Vettori's) last test match. However he says he could go on to play a few more. We love him and He is a great player for New Zealand, It was great having him here with his family.
Mohammed Hafeez is the Man of the series.
Mark Craig: It has been a big turn around from the first test, it is nice. It was hard being out there and playing after what happened. I was not thinking about bowling, just letting the ball go and it helped.
Mark Craig is the man of the match for his 10 wicket haul and a fifty with the bat.
Misbah ul Haq: After starting well in the first day, it was very difficult to concentrate after what happened on the second day. That really created difficulties for us to concentrate on the game. The way we played in the season was awesome. Full credit to New Zealand for the way they played this test and took the game away from us. It is difficult to say anything now, I have been thinking a lot about my career in tests, the world cup is coming up, I am focussing on that. I will think about it after the world cup.
CRICKETNMORE