McCullum mauls Pakistan after Craig\\\'s best

SHARJAH, Nov 28 (AFP): Opener Brendon McCullum smashed the fastest century by a New Zealand batsman to give his team an upper hand in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah Friday.
The Kiwi skipper completed his tenth hundred off 78 balls and went on to reach 145-ball 153 when bad light ended play seven overs earlier with New Zealand 249-1, a strong position with just 102 runs away from Pakistan's first innings total of 351.
Kane Williamson matched his skipper's aggression and was unbeaten on 76, putting an impressive 198 for the unfinished second wicket stand which gave New Zealand a strong position to level the series which they trail 1-0.
Pakistan won the first Test while the second ended in a draw.
But McCullum's rapidfire knock was overshadowed by the gloomy atmosphere as Pakistan and New Zealand observed a minute's silence before start and wore black armbands to join in the mourning for young Australian batsman Phillip Hughes who died Thursday after being hit by a bouncer.
The New Zealand team also did not celebrate any dismissal.
The teams abandoned Thursday's second day's play as a mark of respect for the talented Australian.
New Zealand 249 for 1 (McCullum 153*, Williamson 76*) trail Pakistan 351 (Hafeez 197, Craig 7-94) by 102 runs.