The records kept tumbling but so did the credibility of a test match between New Zealand and Pakistan which, regardless of the result, will always be tagged with a sympathetic asterisk.
The death of Australian international Phil Hughes from head injuries sustained from a bouncer continues to haunt the New
Zealand dressing room. They do not want to be playing this match, and have looked numb doing so. It has left mixed memories considering the exquisite stroke-making on parade during the third day. Just before tea, New Zealand were 464 for three, a lead of 113, with Kane Williamson 185 and Corey Anderson new at the crease after Ross taylor was caught at slip for 50 off Yasir Shah. Taylor had been given a reprieve due to a late check on a no-ball by Mohammad Talha the previous over when he gloved a delivery down the legside on 49.
Coach Mike Hesson has already said the test is "irrelevant" but the programme has been set and the schedule boxes will be ticked so New Zealand don't have to play a random test on their way to England next year or anything similar as compensation.
The New Zealand performance looked like it had been designed by computer programmers. Efficient, effective and packed with stroke-making but lacking joie de vivre. The batsmen did the job, while contemplating the meaning of life between deliveries.
Like zombies, captain Brendon McCullum and heir apparent Kane Williamson channeled their energy into making runs as a mechanism to grieve. Anyone in a workplace can apply for bereavement leave when a mate dies. That doesn't appear to apply to test cricket.
As a result McCullum and Williamson took an industrial twink pen to the country's 22-year-old record for the second wicket against all countries.
John Wright and Andrew Jones amassed 241 in 107 overs against England at the Basin Reserve in 1992; McCullum and Williamson scored 297 in 52.5 overs as the menace of Pakistan's attack dissipated.
McCullum, with his 202 off 188 balls, now has the most double centuries by a New Zealander and his 11 sixes equal the most by a New Zealander in an innings with 11, joining Nathan Astle after his 222 in 2002. He also became only the third person behind Sir Don Bradman and Michael Clarke to score a triple century and two double hundreds in a calendar year.
McCullum kept advancing into an apathetic void. The skipper, whose leadership by example has been inspirational, embraced Williamson on getting his double century and shook Pakistani hands two balls later as he departed, bowled when sweeping Yasir Shah.
Williamson made his eighth test century; he's now alone in seventh on New Zealand's all-time list. He celebrated his milestone in a subdued fashion by briefly raising his bat. He advanced to tea having eclipsed his highest test score of 161, set in the West Indies this year.
If he can reach his double century it will be the first time New Zealand has scored two in the same test innings. There have been 20 in the country's history, including McCullum latest epic.
Before the day's play McCullum sought solidarity from the cricket community after Hughes' death.
He read a statement offering support to Hughes' family and friends before resuming on 153 not out.
"Our focus at the moment is not on our performances, it's all about Phil," he said.
Andrew Alderson travelled to the UAE courtesy of Emirates.
