Mike Hesson says 'improved' Kiwis can now take on top nations away from home

New Zealand cricket team coach Mike Hesson has warned that his side is improving and have proved they can take on top nations away from home and claimed that the tense draw in the second Test against Pakistan that finished Friday in Dubai had proved the point.

Pakistan batted out for a draw after they were set a challenging 261-run target in a possible 72 overs on the fifth and final day. Pakistan finished at 196-6, 65 short of the target to keep their 1-0 lead alive in the series with the final Test starting in Sharjah on Wednesday, after winning the first Test by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Hesson, who took over as coach in July 2012, said that they certainly get confidence from Dubai, and believes that the fact that New Zealand kept Pakistan under pressure shows that they are improving, Sport24 reported.

New Zealand won a crucial toss and scored 403 to challenge Pakistan. The coach believes that the fact that they were able to get 400 plus in the first innings and when the pitch deteriorated got some runs in the second innings under pressure is a good sign for them.

New Zealand were then lifted by Ross Taylor's 104 which helped them declare the second innings at 250-9.

Hesson said that his team is now performing well away from home, winning their last series in the West Indies 2-1 in June.

The coach admitted that they have always been challenging at home, now they have started performing well away from home in the last 12 months and to do well in the subcontinent in spinning conditions shows that they are heading in the right direction.