Electric McCullum fires Black Caps

Brendon McCullum makes light of Pakistan's bowling attack during his remarkable knock

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Brendon McCullum’s superb 131 led New Zealand to a series-levelling 64-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

The wicketkeeper smashed 14 fours and three sixes in his 129-ball effort, only his second one-day international hundred, as he led the Black Caps to 303 for eight in their 50 overs in the second ODI at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Batting first, New Zealand lost Aaron Redmond early for six after he mistimed a drive to Younus Khan at mid-off from Mohammad Aamer.

However Martin Guptill joined McCullum to add a crucial second-wicket partnership of 126.

Guptill hit two sixes and five fours on his way to a 70-ball 62 before falling needlessly to Abdul Razzaq, swatting a ball to Aamer on the cover boundary.

Ross Taylor and Scott Styris both failed to provide adequate support for the rampaging McCullum, Shahid Afridi accounting for the former with a fine slider before Younus ran out Styris.

Ever-dependable captain Daniel Vettori weighed in with a timely 30, while Jacob Oram worked the ball around intelligently for his run-a-ball 33 not out.

Afridi took 2-49 as Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq also chipped in with a couple of wickets apiece.

Pakistan’s reply began well as openers Salman Butt (59) and Khalid Latif (45) put on 77 in 16.2 overs.

Latif played a solid hand before falling for 45 to Vettori, who decieved him in the flight with an arm ball.

Styris’ match-defining spell of 3-6 in 10 balls left Pakistan up against the run rate, and though Razzaq weighed in with 35 from 31 balls and Shoaib Malik made 26 from 27, they were bowled out with 2.4 overs remaining to fall well short.

Vettori took 2-37 and Kyle Mills picked up 2-57 as the Black Caps avenged their opening 138-run hammering.

The series concludes on Monday at the same venue.