New Zealand have fallen to a comprehensive one-day international series defeat against Pakistan, after the hosts won the third match by 26 runs at Karachi.
With two games still to play, Pakistan put the series result beyond doubt, handing the Blackcaps their third straight loss in a week.
Following their failure to defend their target in the opening matches, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham opted to bat second in the must-win fixture.
And after 10 overs, it looked as if he had made the right decision, with Matt Henry removing Pakistan star opener Fakhar Zaman.
Zaman tormented the Blackcaps bowlers in the first two matches, scoring 117, and 180 not out in match-winning knocks.
He nicked off Henry to wicket-keeper Blundell to make his way back to the changing rooms for just 19 runs, but his dismal did little to halt Pakistan's charge.
Fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam put on a 108-run partnership to lay the platform for an aggressive finish.
Ul-Haq (90) and Azam (54) finally departed in the middle of the innings, but handy cameos from the lower order helped Pakistan post 287/6 after their 50 overs.
Henry was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 3/53, with Adam Milne finishing with 2/56 from his 10 overs, and ODI debutant Cole McConchie also grabbing a wicket.
New Zealand's run chase got off to a promising start, with Will Young and Blundell putting on 83 runs for the opening stand.
But despite an encouraging opening 15 overs, Young's dismissal saw wickets fall at regular intervals for the Blackcaps, stunning their reply.
Despite the impressive bowling of the hosts, New Zealand didn't help their cause, losing both openers to runouts.
Young (33), Daryl Mitchell (21), and Blundell (65) all fell within 10 overs, to leave New Zealand at 128/3 at the halfway point.
Latham looked to be making the most of the platform laid with a steady approach, but couldn't find the assistance from his middle order.
Mark Chapman was bowled by Naseem Shah for just 13, before Henry Nicholls picked out the fielder to depart for a single run.
After Latham (45) had his stumps disturbed by Mohammad Wasim, New Zealand's chase looked dead and buried, leaving McConchie with it all to do.
But he showed little fear in his first ODI game for the Blackcaps, and turned the tide with several lusty blows.
While the runrate was always climbing, McConchie's lone hand put New Zealand in an unlikely position to steal the win.
He found the boundary rope on eight occasions, including two sixes, with his second bringing up his half-century.
New Zealand needed 42 runs from the final 18 balls, but with only tail-enders left to bat, lost a wicket in each of the final three overs to leave McConchie stranded on 64 not out.
The 26-run defeat sees Pakistan take an unassailable lead in the series, with the fourth ODI to be played tomorrow, and the final match on Sunday.
Pakistan 287/6 (Ul-Haq 90, Azam 54; Milne 3/54) New Zealand 261 (Blundell, McConchie 64 not out; Shah 2/42)
