McCullum takes solace from unbeaten ton

New Zealand

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was in a combative mood on day two of the third Test against Pakistan in Sharjah, scoring a fast 153 not out in the face of world cricket's grief over Phillip Hughes' passing.

The Kiwis were on 249 for one at the close of play due to bad light, with Kane Williamson alongside his skipper on 76, and trailing Pakistan by just 102 runs. They had gone at 5.50 runs to the over across the day.

Day two was a day late, as the original schedule was suspended on Thursday following Hughes' death in Sydney, and players from both teams paid tribute by wearing black armbands. The Black Caps also wrote PH on their shirts, under the fern, with marker pens.

Pakistan were all out for 351 in the morning session, losing seven wickets quickly as silence pervaded the ground. Mohammad Hafeez, on his way to a maiden double ton two days ago, could not reach the milestone as he fell for 197, he new best Test score.

Mark Craig took a career-best haul of seven wickets, but it went under the radar as the day was notable for a lack of celebration for wickets or batting milestones from either side. Pakistan were lacklustre as they lost seven wickets for 70 runs.

New Zealand started their chase with the loss of Tom Latham early in the afternoon session for 13, but the rest of the day was dominated by McCullum, He struck his ton off 78 balls, the fastest Test ton by a New Zealander.

By the close of play he was still on track for the fastest Test double ton, help by Nathan Astle, having hit eight sixes and 17 fours in his knock Williamson's 76 came off a more sedate 96 balls.

latest-news New Zealand pakistan-new-zealand-in-uae reports-previews

Latest