A solid 82 by Henry Nicholls followed by a ninth-wicket batting blitz carried New Zealand to a convincing 70-run victory in the opening one-day international against Pakistan in Wellington on Monday.
In reply to New Zealand's 280-8, Pakistan were skittled out for 210 with four overs remaining.
Nicholls apart, New Zealand's recognised run-makers struggled against a fired-up Pakistan attack, with the other six batsmen in the top seven contributing just 47 in total.
The hosts were in a perilous position at 99-6 before Mitchell Santner joined Nicholls in a 79-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan then added 73 off 33 balls in a closing onslaught to ensure a target which eventually proved too much for Pakistan.
The tourists were bowled out for 210 after 46 overs as they chased New Zealand's 280 for eight.
Trent Boult took four wickets for 40 runs, including the final scalp of giant pace man Mohammad Irfan, who he bowled for a duck.
All-rounder Grant Elliott chimed in with three for 43 as the hosts got by without McLenaghan.
Mitchell McClenaghan is forced from the field injured during the ODI against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve,
Copyright Photo.: Grant Down / www.photosport.nz
Mitchell McClenaghan is forced from the field injured during the ODI against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve
Photo: Photosport
The Black Caps made a stunning recovery after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.
They were 99 for six after 22 overs and one ball, before batsman Henry Nicholls made 82 in a crucial 79-run partnership for the seventh wicket with all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who struck 48.
Bowler Matt Henry then chimed in with an unbeaten 48, while Boult hit a four off the only delivery he faced, right at the end of their innings.
Both opening batsmen Martin Guptill and Tom Latham fell inside three deliveries early on for 11.
Then the captain Kane Williamson and all-rounder Grant Elliott were bowled, also within three balls, for 10 and a duck respectively.
Corey Anderson was caught for 10 soon after, followed by wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi for just five to have the hosts 99 for six after 21 overs and one ball.
But Nicholls stuck around with Santner and their fortunes turned. Nicholls was named man of the match afterwards.
Henry Nicholls bats during the 1st ODI cricket match between the New Zealand Black Caps and Pakistan at the Basin Reserve.
Henry Nicholls was named man of the match
It wasn't clear until the toss whether Colin Munro or Latham would come into the top order in place of the injured Ross Taylor for the Black Caps.
Taylor suffered a left-side strain during the Black Caps' T20 win over Pakistan in Wellington on Friday.
In the end, Latham came in to open with Nicholls first drop. There was no room for Munro.
The second of the three one day matches is in Napier on Thursday.
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