New Zealand level the series with a clinical performance in the last test - The 3rd and the final test between Pakistan and New Zealand were played at the Sharjah cricket stadium. Before this match the home team was already leading the series due to the win in the 1st match of the series. The 2nd match was a close one as it ended up as a draw. The ounce was set on the last test match for the visitors to level the series. After winning the toss the Pakistan captain decided to bat first.
The first day of the match ended up for Pakistan on a high as they were able to score 281 runs for the loss of only 3 wickets. It was Mohammad Hafeez who had scored most of the runs on this day as he remained not out on 178 runs along with Misbah-ul-Haq the captain on 38 runs. The visitors were able to take quick wickets of the middle order but Hafeez was the man who had different idea on changing the game.
The 2nd day of the match saw the visitors come back hard at the home side as they bowled them out for a mere 351 runs. The lower order and the middle order collapsed adding only few runs to their overnight total. It was Mark Craig who made all the difference taking 7 wickets in the innings. It was one of the great comebacks for the team. The visitors came back strongly with the bat as well ending the day at 249/1.Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson was on the crease at a score of 153 and 76 respectively.
The next day of the match had the same story as New Zealanders made merry scoring runs at ease. The visitors ended the day at a total of 637/8. McCullum scored 202 runs and was bowled by Yasir Shah while Williamson continued to score more runs reaching a personal score of 192 runs. The middle order also chipped in well as they were able to score vital fifties to make this score possible.
On the 4th day of the match the tail wagged for the visitors as they ended their innings at a score of 690 runs. It was lead of 300+ and Pakistan needed a good effort to save this test match in the 2nd innings. The Pakistan openers collapsed quite drastically as the team found them struggling at a score of 63/5. Tim Boult and Mark Craig ran through the top order and the home side were in trouble. Asad Shafiq was the only player who played one of his best innings scoring 137 runs while rest of the team failed to score runs easily. The Pakistan team were bowled out for a mere 259 runs and thus New Zealand won the test match by an innings.
The series was levelled at the end with Mark Craig being named as the player of the match for taking 10 wickets in the match.
Note: The 2nd day of the match had no play in order to respect the death of Phil Hughes and the match was extended by 1 day