Allrounder Daryl Mitchell believes the nailbiting win over Pakistan could be just the antidote for the relatively inexperienced Blackcaps to inspire a reversal in their fortunes.
After demoralising defeats in the opening two games of the series at Lahore, New Zealand maintained their composure in the face of a late blitz from Iftikhar Ahmed.
Without the level-headed experience of the likes of injured Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, the Blackcaps held their nerve under fire, amid a raucous crowd at Gaddafi Stadium, to close out a four-run win.
The result helped stave off a series defeat for the visitors, who'll have a chance to send it to a decisive fifth game with a win at Rawalpindi on Friday.
"It was a hell of a game of cricket," said Mitchell. "I think it's really cool to see guys adapt to the surfaces over the last three games, to learn from each game and then come away with a win.
"It gives the guys a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the series. You never know what will happen over the next few games."
Mitchell was in the thick of the action, sharing in the first 50-plus partnership of the series for the visitors, with a third-wicket stand of 65 runs off 43 balls with captain Tom Latham, as the Blackcaps posted a total of 163/5 - their highest of the tour so far.
With the momentum all on Pakistan's side, he then took two critical late catches in the deep to help close out a victory that had almost seemed academic, before Iftikhar's bat caught fire.
"You want to be involved in those big moments, that's why you play the game," said Mitchell. "The wicket was challenging there through the middle.
"We recognised we wanted to take it a little bit deeper and build a partnership, and allow ourselves a platform to try and pull trigger towards the end.
"I thought the way our bowlers were really clear at the top of their marks was awesome to see under some immense pressure, with how loud the crowd was.
"I know a lot of them will take confidence from that, being put under those pressure moments and coming through with it."
Just as they've become accustomed to the Lahore conditions, the Blackcaps will have to adjust again, with the series moving to Rawalpindi for the final two matches.
