The Blackcaps have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup, after a stunning semi-final loss to Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground.
New Zealand were favourites heading into the match, but never looked comfortable with bat or ball, falling to comprehensive seven-wicket defeat.
After winning the toss, Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson opted to bat first and make Pakistan chase on a pitch devoid of grass.
After beating Australia at the same ground just two weeks before, New Zealand would have backed themselves to replicate those batting efforts, but the wicket didn't allow it.
Opener Finn Allen showed his attacking intent from the first ball, smoking Shaheen Afridi for four runs, but after surviving a leg-before-wicket decision with an inside edge, courtesy of a review, he was trapped right in front to depart for just four runs.
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf was regularly bowling faster than 150kph, with hints of reverse swing troubling the NZ batters.
Devon Conway and Kane Williamson were happy to take singles and twos, with the ball gripping on the Sydney pitch, but after surviving Pakistan's bowling, Conway (21) took on the arm of Shadab Khan in the outfield and lost, as he was run out on the final ball of the powerplay.
Glen Phillips (6) was next to go, hitting back to spin bowler Mohammed Nawaz for a caught and bowled.
Much like his innings against England, Williamson played the role of anchor and found good support in form of Daryl Mitchell's powerful hitting.
Mitchell hit several lusty blows, including three fours and one six, but the amount of twos he picked up helped New Zealand's total.
Williamson (46) departed in the 16th over, after he was bowled by Afridi, going across his stumps.
James Neesham (16 not out) offered good support for Mitchell, who finished unbeaten on 53 to take New Zealand to 152/4 after 20 overs.
With the Blackcaps at least 15 runs short of a par score, Pakistan's openers batted with confidence from the outset.
Their task was made easier by wicketkeeper Conway's drop of out-of-form opener Babar Azam, who saved his best performance of the tournament for the semi-final.
Boult found the edge of Azam in the opening over, but the ball evaded a diving Conway and the Pakistan batter made New Zealand pay.
Azam and Mohammed Rizwan had no trouble finding the boundary rope early, with three fours off Boult in the third over.
The ease with which they hit the fence allowed for even easier singles, with sloppy fielding costing the Blackcaps. Mitch Santner dropped a straightforward catch, before Sodhi shelled a tough chance in front of him.
Boult removed both Azam (53) and Rizwan (57), but the damage was already done by the Pakistani openers.
Powerhitting batter Mohammed Haris carried on where they left off, finding the boundary rope with just his second ball.
He also picked up Pakistan's only six of the innings, before Santer grabbed his wicket, with Allen taking an easy catch, dismissing Haris for 30 runs.
Any hope of a Blackcaps comeback was quickly put to bed, with Shan Masood (3 not out) hitting the running runs in the last over with five balls to spare.
Pakistan will now await the winners of India and England to see who they play in the T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand 152/4 (Mitchell 53*, Williamson 46; Afridi 2/24) Pakistan 153/3 (Rizwan 57, Azam 53; Boult 2/33)
Pakistan win by seven wickets
