Pakistan retained their 1-0 series lead after batting out a draw on the final day of the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai.
The Black Caps did have a fleeting hope of snatching victory, after claiming four wickets either side of lunch, but Younus Khan and Asad Shafiq effectively snuffed that out with a 76-run stand in 23.4 overs.
The captains shook hands on the draw in the evening session with Pakistan 196 for five.
Ross Taylor had reached his 12th Test century in the morning, before he was stumped to give leg-spinner Yasir Shah his maiden five-wicket haul, as New Zealand declared on 250 for nine to leave Pakistan needing 261 for victory.
It was a target they might have fancied but for the concession of four top-order wickets, which forced Younus and Shafiq to settle their intentions on a draw.
Tim Southee struck first when Taufeeq Umar edged behind in between the New Zealand declaration and lunch.
Three wickets in a four-over spell during the afternoon session then piqued the tourists’ interest.
Azhar Ali thumped a Mark Craig full-toss straight at Jimmy Neesham before Trent Boult prised out Shan Mahsood and then skipper Misbah-ul-Haq for a duck.
Pakistan’s ambitions were therefore checked and they wound the game towards a draw until Younus became Craig’s second victim, gloving a drive to slip for 44.
Sarfraz Ahmed then provided an indication of what might have been for Pakistan has he slapped an unbeaten 24 from 23 balls, but by then it was too late to push for a series-clinching win as Shafiq remained unbeaten alongside him on 41.
Taylor’s century had earlier ensured that New Zealand built up a worthwhile advantage after they began the day at 167 for six.
Taylor and Craig put on a crucial 60 for the seventh wicket, before Shah removed both, and the declaration arrived when Southee’s entertaining 20, from just five balls, was ended by Zulfiqar Babar.
The third and final Test in Sharjah will begin next Wednesday.