New Zealand, with some big late hitting and then tight bowling from an undermanned attack, have beaten Pakistan by 70 runs in the first one-day cricket international in Wellington.
After being sent in to bat at the Basin Reserve on Monday, New Zealand posted 8-280, having at one stage tottered at 6-99.
Henry Nicholls' 82, his maiden ODI half-century, was key to resuscitating the innings before tail-enders Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan put on a quick-fire 73.
Henry, despite being hit on the helmet, smashed an unbeaten 48 from 30 balls, including eight boundaries, four of them sixes.
McClenaghan chimed in with 31 from 18 balls before retiring hurt with one ball to go, after he was hit near the left eye by a delivery that went through a gap above the grill.
The Black Caps then bowled out Pakistan for 210 with four overs remaining.
"It was a great effort from the lower order and Henry Nicholls to get us a score," skipper Kane Williamson said.
"Then I thought we were smart with the ball. It's the sort of wicket that could be tough to take early wickets, but as soon as guys look to take the initiative it was quite tricky to time."
Williamson said McClenaghan had needed some stitches, "but hopefully he'll be okay".
The left-arm seamer's absence left the Black Caps a bowler short.
Grant Elliott stepped up with his medium-pacers, taking 3-43 and removing both openers in the process.
Paceman Trent Boult, who had gone into the contest as the new No.1 ODI bowler in the ICC rankings, cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-40.
After Elliott removed both openers, Mohammad Hafeez (42) and Babar Azam (62) started to get the Pakistan innings back on track.
When they departed, the asking rate began to climb.
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali's decision to field after winning the toss paid off as New Zealand lost early wickets.
Nicholls and fellow young left-hander Mitchell Santner (48) began the recovery with a 79-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Nicholls, who had a life on 15 when he was dropped at first slip, went on to hit seven boundaries before dragging an Anwar Ali delivery on to his stumps.
When he departed, New Zealand were still precariously placed at 8-203 before Henry and McClenaghan went to work.
Left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir finished with Pakistan's best figures of 3-28 before having to go off with a leg injury, while right-arm paceman Anwar took 3-66.
Azhar said Pakistan missed a great opportunity to get New Zealand out cheaply after claiming their sixth wicket.
"We were at that stage in the driving seat," he said.
"But credit goes to their lower order, the way they batted. To score 280 from that was exceptional."
The second game of the three-match series is in Napier on Thursday.
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