Pakistan have eased to a five-wicket win in the first one-day international against the Blackcaps in Rawalpindi on Friday (NZ time).
After being sent into bat, Daryl Mitchell's brilliant second ODI century helped lay the platform for an NZ total beyond the 300-run mark, until some accurate death bowling restricted the visitors to 288/7.
Pakistan were assured with their response and never looked genuinely in danger, as Fakhar Zaman's 117 off 114 balls set the stage for a clinical first-up victory, as they chased down their target with an over and a half to spare.
The result means Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The New Zealanders began confidently with the bat, putting on 48 runs for the first wicket until Chad Bowes (18) edged Haris Rauf behind.
That brought Mitchell - who had been promoted to No. 3 in the order - to the crease, starting a 102-run partnership for the second wicket.
After a whirlwind 86 off 78 balls, including 10 boundaries, Young eventually holed out to long off, leaving the Blackcaps in a strong position at 150/2 in the 27th over.
That's where the New Zealanders' innings stalled, typified by Tom Latham's struggle, managing just 20 off 36 balls before being trapped LBW to a full toss.
But at 222/3 in the 40th over, the New Zealanders seemed poised for an imposing total thanks to some clean striking by Mitchell, who blasted Shaheen over his head for four to bring up his century in the 42nd over.
Unfortunately he never found the batting partner he needed through the critical final stretch of the innings, including his own in the 47th over - caught at deep mid wicket.
Naseem Shah (2/29) did the bulk of the damage with the ball, taking two more wickets in the final over to limit New Zealand to 288/7.
Pakistan reply with the bat was emphatic, with Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq putting on 124 runs for the opening partnership before Ish Sodhi's breakthrough LBW.
Captain Babar Azam (49) then combined with the red-hot Fakhar to put on 90 for the second wicket, leaving Pakistan in complete control when he departed at 214/2 in the 36th over.
Depsite some late stumbles, Mohammad Rizwan (42 off 34) ensured Pakistan reached their target with almost two overs remaining.
Adam Milne was the top wicket-taker with 2/60 off nine overs, with four of the Blackcaps' six bowlers conceding 50-plus runs.
"I think the score we got was about par," said NZ captain Tom Latham after the game. "The position we were in, Daryl played a superb innings.
"The wicket got harder for new guys, but the way Pakistan played was superb. We couldn't make any inroads. It got harder in the end but the two partnerships up top from Pakistan made the difference.
"I guess a few more wickets could have made it different because it wasn't easy to start."
The second one-day international takes place in Rawalpindi, starting late Saturday.
New Zealand 288/7 (Mitchell 113, Young 86; Naseem Shah 2/29) lost to Pakistan 291/5 in 48.3 overs (Fakhar 117, Imam 60, Babar 49, Rizwan 42 not out) by five wickets.
