NAPIER: Rain brought a halt to play on the fifth and the final day of the third Test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Napier on Tuesday (December 15th), which led to the two sides drawing the match, and the series remained 1-1 for each team.
New Zealand were 118 runs off their required target with ten wickets in hand before the weather conditions prematurely curtailed their run chase.
Pakistan headed into Tuesday's fifth day of the third Test at McLean Park on 347 for 4, leading New Zealand by 99 runs.
The tourists had only added 14 to their overnight total when New Zealand claimed their first wicket of the day.
Misbah-ul-Haq played a rash shot to Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum claimed a stumping.
After Misbah's departure, the two Akmal brothers got together and looked comfortable at the crease.
Umar continued his good work in the series, raising his 60 in no time, but he wouldn't have it all his own way after 'Black Caps' captain Vettori took the new ball.
The younger Akmal sibling nicked a Tim Southee delivery to McCullum and Pakistan were reduced to 397 for 6.
Kamran Akmal continued to rack up runs at the other end - sending Chris Martin to the boundary.
However, he was in danger of running out of partners as Mohammad Aamer went for seven - caught by Martin off Vettori.
Then, after the lunch break, Umar Gul went for a duck, with Daniel Flynn taking a tricky low catch off the bowling of Iain O'Brien.
Kamran Akmal went on to reach his half-century with a single off O'Brien, taking Pakistan to 445 for 8.
But only four more runs were added before Danish Kaneria went for 11 off the bowling of Southee.
Mohammad Asif then went for a duck, trapped Leg Before Wicket by Martin Guptil, as Pakistan were bowled out for 455.
Kamran Akmal's unbeaten 56 helped Pakistan set New Zealand a total of 208 runs for victory.
The chase got off to an aggressive start with BJ Watling pulling Mohammad Aamer to the boundary for four.
Mohammad was struck for four more runs by Watling as New Zealand reached 43 for no loss.
Watling then got stuck into Umar Gul, finding the boundary to bring up New Zealand's 50.
Gul was steered to the boundary four times by Watling, who hit nine fours and a six on the way to 60 off 62 balls.
Fellow opener Tim McIntosh chipped in with 23 runs off 54 balls, but just as the 'Black Caps' looked to be closing in on a series win, the elements halted their charge.
A light downpour was soon followed by heavier rain and the covers came on with New Zealand on 90 for no loss - 118 runs shy of their target.
The conditions showed few signs of improving in the next hour and proceedings were eventually called to a halt.
That meant that both the match and the series ended in a draw - New Zealand and Pakistan sharing the honours after winning the first and second Test respectively.AGENCIES
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