Some comfort for New Zealand and Brendan McCullum against Pakistan in Sharjah

Black Caps pile on the runs with Phillip Hughes in their thoughts.

New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum struck 202. Aamir Qureshi / AFP

SHARJAH // Brendon McCullum had Phillip Hughes and the Australian team in his thoughts as he sent records tumbling in Sharjah on Saturday.

The New Zealand captain’s 202 made him only the second batsman after Don Bradman to score a triple century and two double hundreds in a year as his side finished on 637 for eight, the highest innings total in the UAE.

“You are all in our thoughts, our hearts and in Phil’s case, our memories,” said McCullum in a message released by New Zealand Cricket. “Our focus at the moment is not on our performances, it’s all about Phil.

“We are reaching out to Phil’s family, and all who have been affected by Phil’s passing. We are also reaching out to Sean Abbott. Cricket is a sport and the cricket community is a family. We are here for you. We are thinking of you.”

New Zealand scored 388 runs on Day 3, as McCullum moved second on his country’s list of top Test scorers after Stephen Fleming.

The only time Pakistan bowlers seemed to find weakness in their rivals was when the batsmen were approaching or just past milestones.

After McCullum was bowled by Yasir Shah on 202, heir-apparent Kane Williamson fell short of his double hundred by eight runs, caught in the slip off Rahat Ali off the first ball after tea.

Between them, they had scored 394 runs, 43 more than Pakistan’s score as if to underline how disappointing the hosts’ batting had been after having won the toss.

New Zealand seemed to play without pressure, dealing in boundaries. A record 19 sixes have been hit in the innings surpassing Australia’s 17 against Zimbabwe in 2003.

Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson and tail-ender Tim Southee helped themselves to 50 each before getting out.

“I guess it was another strange day,” said Taylor. “Without those circumstances, we would be very happy and ecstatic about the day. Anything we can do to support the Australian cricket team and Hughes and his family, it’s only a little token.”

Explaining the run rate in trying conditions, Taylor said, “I think it just goes on to show that when you take out the pressure in a game situation, and just bat like when you were a little kid, how things evolve.

“In terms of his frame of mind, I guess Brendon and the whole team are just trying to play cricket for what it is, and not look too far ahead. When I batted with Kane, normally I talk a lot. Today, we did not say much.”

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, said his team had “lost the plot a little bit” on Day 2 when they gave up seven wickets in one session and now his team were “struggling to take back the momentum”.

“We do not need to score runs at a fast pace because we will be in survival mode,” he said.

“We would most likely be defending more. We have the batsmen who are capable of scoring 100s and 200s and I just hope we can cope with the pressure.”

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