Grant Elliott scored 64 not out and took 3-26 in an all-round performance which led New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan with ten overs to spare in Saturday's first of two one-day games.
Ross Taylor made 59 and Martin Guptill 39 as New Zealand reached 213-3 in the 40th over in reply to Pakistan's 210, cruising to a victory which further heightens expectations of a strong showing by the co-hosts.
Guptill struggled in the just-completed seven-match series against Sri lanka, making three ducks, but made a welcome return to form, as did Taylor, who had averaged a mediocre 28 in that series. Shahidi Afridi scored 67 off 29 balls and captain Misbah-ul-Haq made 58 in an otherwise poor batting performance.
Elliott's performance again underscored the quality of New Zealand's all-rounders which may be a significant asset when the World Cup begins. He was a contentious inclusion in the 15-man World Cup squad but has more than vindicated his selection with 194 runs against Sri lanka, including a century.
"It was a really professional performance tonight," New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said. "Our fielding was outstanding, probably the best we've seen this summer and that creates so much intensity and allows your seamers to really get into the game. "We just lost too many wickets and even in the first 10 overs we were nowhere and gained no momentum," Misbah-ul-Haq said.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 210 (Afridi 67; Elliot 3/26) lost to New Zealand: 213/3 (Elliott 64, Ross Taylor 59)