(AP Photo/Karl Jeffs)

NZ beats Pakistan by 64 runs, ties series 1-1

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Opener Brendan McCullum's 131 helped New Zealand beat Pakistan by 64 runs on Friday and send their short one-day international series to a decider on Monday.

McCullum's 131 off 129 deliveries led the Black Caps to 303-8, then Scott Styris took three wickets in 10 balls to help scuttle Pakistan for 239 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium and level the three-match series.

After losing the first game by 138 runs on Tuesday, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said his side could only improve.

"Fielding was our forte and it came good with a few fantastic catches and the run out of Salman Butt," Vettori said.

"The three wickets from Scott helped to change the game in our favor. We will try to put the pressure on Pakistan in the decider on Monday."

Styris' three wickets plus the run out of opener Butt for 59 meant Pakistan lost four wickets for 10 runs and was left tottering at 134-5 in the 31st over.

Butt and Khalid Latif gave Pakistan a 77-run start until Vettori had the latter trapped in front for 45.

Younis Khan (19) fell to a spectacular one-handed catch from Ross Taylor at short midwicket at 124-2, then Shahid Afridi, promoted to No. 4, clipped the second ball he faced to Taylor. Kamran Akmal hit straight to Martin Guptill at cover in the next over for Styris' third wicket.

Styris returned 3-23 from four overs and Vettori bowled a tidy spell to finish with 2-37 from his 10.

"To send Shahid Afridi up the order was a unanimous choice. We needed quick runs and he was the batsman who could have done it for us," Pakistan coach Inthikab Alam said. "Sometimes such tactics work and sometimes it doesn't."

McCullum hit 14 fours and three sixes in his second ODI century.

He said losing the vice captaincy didn't motivate him.

"I have to perform as a senior player," McCullum said. "I have had starts but failed to carry on for a big score. I am glad I could do it tonight. It was really nice to score a century and win the game for New Zealand."

He featured in three good partnerships, the best being 126 for the second wicket with Guptill, who made the second highest score of 62 off 70 deliveries, studded with five hits to the fence and a couple clearing the field.

McCullum added 64 for the fifth wicket with Vettori (30) and 56 with Jacob Oram (33 not out) for the seventh wicket before playing on to a delivery from paceman Umar Gul.

Updated November 6, 2009