New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes his team’s conscious effort to improve in key areas helped them beat Pakistan and level their three-match series at 1-1. After losing the opener by 138-runs, the Black Caps hit back with a clinical performance in the second on Friday night to win by 64 runs. “I think we wanted to improve on some key areas, made a conscious effort and it’s pleasing that we were able to turn around in a couple of days; now we must keep the pressure on Pakistan,” said Vettori.

The third and final match will be played here on Monday. New Zealand rode on a century by Brendon McCullum (131) to post an imposing total of 303-8 in 50 overs.

“The partnership between McCullum and Guptill set up the victory for us,” said Vettori. Pakistan got off to a good start with Salman Butt (59) and Khalid Latif (45) putting together 77 between them and were 124-2 when Styris, bowling for the first time in nearly 13 months, grabbed three wickets off just 10 balls.

Brief scores: New Zealand 303 for 8 (B McCullum 131, M Guptill 62; S Afridi 2/49) beat Pakistan 239 all out in 47.2 overs (S Butt 59; S Styris 3/23) by 64 runs