Opener Brendon McCullum smashed the fastest century by a New Zealand batsman to give his team an upper hand in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah, here today.
The Kiwi skipper completed his tenth hundred off 78 balls and went on to reach 145-ball 153 when bad light ended play seven overs earlier with New Zealand 249-1, a strong position with just 102 runs away from Pakistan's first innings total of 351.
Kane Williamson matched his skipper's aggression and was unbeaten on 76, putting an impressive 198 for the unfinished second wicket stand which gave New Zealand a strong position to level the series which they trail 1-0.
Pakistan won the first Test while the second ended in a draw.
But McCullum's rapidfire knock was overshadowed by the gloomy atmosphere as Pakistan and New Zealand observed a minute's silence before the start and wore black armbands to join in the mourning for young Australian batsman Phillip Hughes who died Thursday from serious head injuries after being hit by a bouncer.
The New Zealand team also did not celebrate any dismissal. The teams abandoned Thursday's second day's play as a mark of respect for the talented Australian.
New Zealand's coach Mike Hesson admitted the day was gloomy despite his team's dominance.
"It wasn't about cricket today," said Hesson. "It was about supporting a fellow player and the key for us to stay calm as some players were struggling more than the others.
"Craig showed a lot of character and his drift and variety got him rewards," said Hesson.
McCullum stole the show, hitting eight sixes -- four off left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar -- and 17 boundaries as New Zealand rattled the total in just 45 overs.
In the penultimate over before tea, he hit four boundaries in one over from paceman Mohammad Talha before two quick singles completed his hundred.
