New Zealand’s preparations for the World Cup continue at pace following a comfortable seven-wicket win to start their one-day international series against Pakistan.
A century partnership between Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott ensured the Black Caps coasted home with 63 balls in hand to secure a seventh win in their past nine ODIs.
Pakistan were bowled out for 201 at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, despite the best efforts of Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi, who both posted half-centuries.
Man of the match Elliott grabbed 3-26 before his unbeaten 64 from 68 balls completed a straightforward chase alongside Taylor, who hit 59.
Pakistan's struggles began after just five balls when Mohammad Hafeez was clean-bowled by Kyle Mills without scoring and Pakistan then slumped to 32 for three.
Misbah's arrival steeled Pakistan's nerves, as the veteran began his steady progress towards his 38th ODI fifty.
Misbah added 49 with Haris Sohail whose departure prompted another slump 127 for seven.
The experienced heads of Misbah and Afridi ensured some sort of defendable score, putting on a stand of 72 in contrasting style, with Misbah playing a patient role at one end while Afridi clobbered everything that came his way and passed his half-century in just 21 balls.
It was Elliot who eventually halted the show, tempting Misbah to loft to Tom Latham at deep midwicket. His resistance was ended on 58, having faced 87 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.
That sparked the beginning of the end for Pakistan, with Bilawal Bhatti soon following for a duck before Afridi's belligerent performance was brought to a close on 67, with Adam Milne making the breakthrough after the batsman had smashed nine fours and three maximums from 29 balls.
Ehsan Adil was the last man to fall for six to give Elliott his third wicket and leave New Zealand with a modest total to chase.
Brendon McCullum's wicket for 17 gave the visitors some hope but no major wobble followed as fellow opener Martin Guptill was ably joined by Latham, with the pair moving the scoreboard on to 75 before the latter fell to Afridi for 23.
Guptill was the next man to walk on 39 but that simply paved the way for Taylor and Elliott and their march towards the target.
The partnership could not be broken, with Taylor notching his 29th ODI fifty on his way to an unbeaten 59 and Elliott posting a seventh one-day half-century, fittingly sealing the win with his eighth boundary to end the match on 64.