New Zealand are completing the third test against Pakistan under protest, but it's becoming one of the most comprehensive performances in the country's cricket history.
If the visitors intended to pay their respects to the late Australian international Phil Hughes they couldn't have done so with a more clinical display.
After posting their record test score of 690, with a lead of 339, they sustained their fourth day dominance by reducing Pakistan to 147 for seven by tea.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee applied their opening bowling expertise to maximum effect. The westerly zephyr assisted Southee taking the ball away and Boult taking the ball towards Pakistan's predominantly right-handed line-up. The 'hosts' limped to 30 for three at lunch.
Boult reaped all the tangible rewards and lifted his test wicket tally to 98. Twelve New Zealand bowlers have taken 100 or more and, if Boult is to reach that milestone in his 28th test, only two - Sir Richard Hadlee (25) and Bruce Taylor (27) - have done it quicker.
He got the ball to move away from Masood who nibbled and Southee pouched the slip catch. Then he brought the ball back with the breeze to bowl Azhar Ali for six and get Younis Khan lbw without scoring.
Mark Craig advanced New Zealand's cause in the middle session with the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq. Misbah had a legitimate cause for review caught glove/pad by B-J Watling but, without Hotspot or Snicko, no definitive decision could be made. Umpire Paul Reiffel received the benefit of the doubt.
Craig's match figures at tea of nine for 156 were the best at the Sharjah ground. He took the record from Shane Warne.
Earlier, he made 65 and pushed the single to square leg which brought up 681 for eight, New Zealand's highest test score. It was the first time six New Zealand batsmen have scored over 50 in an innings.
History beckons. If New Zealand were to win the test and draw the series, it would represent their third test win away against Pakistan in 24 attempts. The others came at Lahore in 1969 and 1996.
The extraordinary tale of Sharjah
* 690 is New Zealand's highest test total eclipsing the 680-8 declared against India in February.
* Three of NZ's six highest totals have come in the last 12 months.
* It's the first time NZ has had six batsmen score over 50 in an innings.
* 88 is the most boundaries in a NZ test innings (22 is the most sixes, too).
* The 297-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson is NZ's best for the 2nd wicket against all countries.
* McCullum has made the most double centuries (4) by a New Zealander; it's one of five to be scored at a better than 100 strike rate.
* McCullum made NZ's fastest test century in 78 balls.
* McCullum joins Sir Donald Bradman and Michael Clarke as players to make a triple century and two or more double centuries in a 12-month period.
* Mark Craig's 7-94 are the best bowling figures in tests at the venue.
* Kane Williamson made his highest test score (192) and eighth test century, the most by a New Zealander at age 24.
* Ross Taylor became the 2nd New Zealander to take 100 test catches after Stephen Fleming.
Andrew Alderson travelled to the UAE courtesy of Emirates.
