Pakistan in New Zealand, 2010-11

At Wellington (Westpac Stadium), January 22, 2011 (day/night). New Zealand won by nine wickets. Toss: Pakistan.

New Zealand ended an 11-match losing sequence in completed one-day internationals with aplomb, romping home with more than 32 overs to spare after a career-best haul from Southee. Their victory continued the recent trend at the Westpac: excluding one no-result, this was the home side's seventh one-day win in a row, during which they had never conceded more than 207; Pakistan's total of 124, meanwhile, was their lowest in New Zealand. Led by Shahid Afridi, who replaced Misbah-ul-Haq as captain following the Tests - but was still not assured of the job for the upcoming World Cup - Pakistan were undone by Southee, New Zealand's most improved player of the southern summer, in swing-dominated conditions on a drop-in pitch. Bennett chipped in too in his first international on home soil, and only Misbah adapted. McCullum held five catches, taking him past 200 in one-day internationals (including seven in the field). When Pakistan - having surprisingly omitted Umar Gul - failed to match Southee's skills, Guptill and Ryder put the result beyond any doubt, flailing 84 in ten overs. Man of the Match: T. G. Southee.