New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan set a world Test record for most runs in a six-ball over as his side romped to a series-levelling win against Pakistan yesterday. McMillan smashed 26 off leg-spinner Younis Khan's only over in the third and final Test, beating the previous record of 24 held jointly by five other players.
After McMillan stole the individual spotlight early on the fourth day, New Zealand swept to victory by an innings and 185 runs to level the series at 1-1.
Having declared in the morning session at 407 for four with a first innings lead of 303, New Zealand bowled out Pakistan for 118 to secure their biggest Test-winning margin. They beat the victory by an innings and 132 runs against England at Christchurch in the 1983-84 series.
McMillan set his record on the way to making 98 by hitting five fours and a six from six balls, three of his fours coming from reverse sweeps. He beat the mark of 24 set by Andy Roberts off Ian Botham, West Indies v England at Port of Spain in 1980-81; Sandeep Patel off Bob Willis, India v England at Manchester in 1982; Botham against Derek Stirling, England v New Zealand at The Oval in 1986; Ian Smith off Atul Wassam, New Zealand v India in Auckland in 1989-90 and Kapil Dev off Eddie Hemmings, India v England at Lord's in 1990.
McMillan shared a fourth wicket stand of 147 with captain Stephen Fleming, who stroked an unbeaten 51, after New Zealand resumed at the overnight 260 for three.
Pakistan, bowled out for 104 in the first innings, then succumbed to James Franklin (4-26), Daryl Tuffey (3-38) and Chris Martin (2-48).
Tuffey, who also held a glorious catch in the deep to dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq for 20 in Pakistan's second innings, was named man-of-the-match for his haul of seven for 77.
"That was the most perfect Test you could play," Fleming said.
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