New Zealand were reluctant to complete the third cricket test against Pakistan, but their performance to win by an innings and 80 runs on the fourth day ranks as one of the most comprehensive in the country's 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.
As strains of the Muslim call to prayer wafted across the ground from the minaret of a local mosque late in the day, New Zealand's first XI kept their own faith as a test team which is now one of the world's most compelling to watch.
After posting their record test score of 690, and leading by 339, they sustained their dominance by dismissing Pakistan for 259.
The side has myriad strengths: the leadership of Brendon McCullum, the batting acumen of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, the venomous pace of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the spinning promise of Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi, the enthusiasm of Tom Latham, B-J Watling and Corey Anderson and the wisdom of Daniel Vettori. Only fools would take them lightly. The way they have fought back from 1-0 down to draw this series shows a team with fortitude rarely seen from the sport's best exponents in this country PH (post-Hadlee).
McCullum said they found solace in each other's company after the Hughes tragedy.
"It hit the guys hard. We spent a lot of time together away from the ground. The focus is normally about 'team' but this time we had to ensure each individual was okay first.
"Even now it's hard to talk about the game with a glowing report when you know what they're dealing with back in Australia. We'll look back in time and be proud of we achieved but there was an empty feeling at times."
Vettori said he had played what he expected to be his last test, as his family sat in the stands and watched. He cited McCullum's leadership as key to sustaining team morale.
"We were lucky to have Brendon, [coach] Mike Hesson and [manager] Mike Sandle to lead the group because it's been incredibly difficult. A lot of us knew Phil and mourned him as one of our own.
"Brendon allowed everyone to grieve in their own way. There was no pressure on anyone to do anything. I think guys accidentally relaxed from that and played with a lot of freedom. While we celebrated the achievements during the test quietly, it didn't feel right to get too excited."
Regardless of the format, New Zealand fans' spirits should be buoyant about this team, especially with a home World Cup in prospect.
Yesterday, Boult and Southee applied their swing and seam 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 with Boult reaping the tangible rewards and taking his test wicket tally to 99.
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 trap Younis Khan lbw without scoring.
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 of 10 for 203 were the best in seven tests 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.
"It is and probably always will be bittersweet," Craig said. "I think in time we'll be able to reflect positively on what we were able to achieve.
He also acknowledged after six tests, including a 10-wicket bag and a batting average of 42.71, he might have a future in the sport's premier format.
