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Sharjah - Captain Brendon McCullum's blistering double hundred and a record 297-run stand with centurion Kane Williamson put New Zealand firmly in control of the third and final test against Pakistan in Sharjah on Saturday.
McCullum (202) fell two balls after completing his fourth double hundred in tests, the fourth fastest ever, but the visitors continued to pile on runs and reached 388 for two at lunch on the third day, a first-innings lead of 37.
The 24-year-old Williamson also reached his eighth test hundred in the morning and was unbeaten on 135 at the break with Ross Taylor on 26 as New Zealand, trailing 1-0 in the series, continued to score runs at a fierce pace.
Resuming on 249-1, the aggressive duo of McCullum and Williamson hit boundaries off pacemen and spinners at will on their way to breaking New Zealand's previous highest second-wicket partnership in tests.
The 33-year-old McCullum, who hit 21 fours in his 188-ball knock, got past his double-hundred against leg-spinner Yasir Shah with his 11th six but was bowled round his legs in the same over while attempting a sweep shot.
The celebration was again muted in memory of Australian Phillip Hughes, who died on Thursday after being hit on the neck by a bouncer two days earlier, with both sets of players continuing to wear black armbands.
There was also no jubilation from Williamson after he drove Mohammad Talha for a boundary to bring up his century.
