New Zealand level series despite Shafiq\\\'s ton

FE Team | Published: December 01, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

SHARJAH, Nov 30 (AFP): New Zealand completed an innings and 80-run win over Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sharjah Sunday, to level the three-match series 1-1.
Seamer Trent Boult took 4-38 and Mark Craig 3-109 which overshadowed Asad Shafiq's career-best 137 as Pakistan were dismissed for 259 in their second innings in the fading light at Sharjah stadium.
The win was more praiseworthy in a week when New Zealand were left grieving after Australian batsman Phillip Hughes's tragic death on Thursday, the day when both teams abandoned second day's play.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum admitted it was tough to play.
"It was definitely, really tough circumstances to play the Test," said McCullum. "Our thoughts were elsewhere. Proud of the guys for sticking together."
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq conceded the tragic news affected his team.
"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."
Boult ended Shafiq's fighting 183-minute knock of 18 fours and six sixes -- his fifth Test century -- with a short delivery.
Craig wrapped up the innings by dismissing Rahat Ali for six to end with match figures of 10-203.
He took 7-94 in the first innings.
Boult struck three times in the space of 18 balls to leave Pakistan struggling at 24-3 before Craig and Sodhi (2-82) chipped in.
Pakistan won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by 248 runs while the second ended in a draw in Dubai.
Pakistan's batting failure was miserable on a pitch where New Zealand plundered 690.
Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed (37) tried to take the attack to the New Zealand bowlers with a 73-run stand for the sixth wicket before Sodhi removed Ahmed and Yasir Shah (ten) in the same over before tea.
Shafiq hit Craig for a six and a four to reach his hundred off 123 balls to delay the defeat after Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (24) and Misbah (12) in the post lunch session.
Hafeez gave a return catch to Craig while Misbah was adjudged caught behind off the glove on the same bowler and even a referral couldn't save the Pakistan skipper.
New Zealand 690 (McCullum 202, Williamson 192, Rahat 4-99) beat Pakistan 351 (Hafeez 197, Craig 7-94) and 259 (Shafiq 137, Boult 4-38) by an innings and 80 runs.