Stephen Fleming topscored with 65 to guide New Zealand to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final of the Bank Alfalah Cup triangular one-day tournament at Dambulla in Sri Lanka on Friday.
Chasing Pakistan's modest score of 198, New Zealand scored 200 for the loss of six wickets in 45.2 overs to clinch their first one-day tournament victory since the ICC Knockout final in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2000.
It was also only their second-ever tournament win.
Fleming shared key partnerships with fellow opener Chris Nevin (54 off 72 balls) for the first wicket and Lou Vincent (59 off 101 balls) for the second and the Kiwis were racing to victory at 151 for 2 before fast bowler Mohammad Sami took two wickets in three balls.
Sami had Fleming caught by Younis Khan running backwards at extra cover after the New Zealand skipper miscued a pull. Three balls later, Scott Styris (22) chopped a Sami delivery on to his stumps to leave the match finely balanced at 152 for four.
Jacob Oram (12) then slammed three consecutive boundaries to kickstart the innings again, but clipped a catch to mid-wicket soon after.
Chris Cairns (18) then carried New Zealand to the brink, before Chris Harris (five not out) and Brendon McCullum (four not out) finished the job.
Sami took three for 42 from 10 overs, but the Pakistani bowlers did not help themselves, conceding 44 extras in New Zealand's total.
Earlier, Younis Khan had cracked an aggressive 70 not out, his 17th one-day half-century, to rescue Pakistan who were struggling at 56 for four after electing to bat.
Oram, back in the side after recovering from a back strain, and Darryl Tuffey shared six wickets, claiming 3-38 and 3-32, respectively.
Opener Mohammad Hafeez was caught behind for a duck off the fourth ball of the day and number three Yasser Hameed was trapped lbw by Kyle Mills for six to send Pakistan reeling at 11 for two in the fourth over.
When Yousuf Youhana was run out backing up after Scott Styris deflected a straight drive on to the stumps, Pakistan were in deep trouble at 56 for four.
But Younis Khan reclaimed the initiative during key partnerships with Shoaib Malik (57 off 73 balls) and skipper Rashid Latif (43 off 49 balls).
Pakistan were on course to set the highest total of the tournament, but lost momentum in the final overs, losing their last four wickets for 19 runs.
