New Zealand levels after four-wicket win
Devcich's wicket seemed to trigger panic in the New Zealand camp, with Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Corey Anderson falling quickly, the total slipping to 167 for 5 soon.
But Williamson and Ronchi (36 in 32 balls) resurrected the chase with a crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 58 off 61 balls that paved the way for New Zealand's victory.
Earlier, Matt Henry, playing only his third ODI, had Ahmed Shehzad caught behind for zero in the first over of the match. Six balls later, Younis Khan edged Mitchell McClenaghan to Ross Taylor at first slip. Henry returned to go past Asad Shafiq in the fifth over before Hafeez, who had watched the top order crumble from the non-striker’s end, was joined by Haris Sohail.
Sohail, who had taken Pakistan over the line with a gallant unbeaten 85 in the first ODI, and Hafeez then added 77 from 94 balls before Corey Anderson got Sohail to play a rash shot to a short delivery, Taylor taking the catch at cover.
That brought Misbah and Hafeez together with Pakistan at 97 for 4.
Hafeez, who had gone past his half-century in the 19th over, anchored the innings, while Misbah played the role of the aggressor once he got his eye in.
Henry was easily the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, denting Pakistan further with the wicket of Hafeez (76) in the 35th over at a stage when it looked on course for a good total with the fifth-wicket partnership having added 66 off 85 balls. Hafeez hit nine fours and a six in his 92-ball innings.
Misbah fell to Henry two overs later when he tried to pull a short ball that appeared to kiss his gloves on its way to Luke Ronchi behind the stumps. Misbah reviewed the decision but had to leave after Joel Wilson, the TV umpire, agreed to the decision made by the on-field umpires. Misbah made 47 from 65 balls with two fours and two sixes.
It was then up to Afridi, batting at No. 8, to give Pakistan a good finish, and he played his part, smashing three sixes in his 14-ball 27.
Late cameos from Sarfraz Ahmed (23 in 31 balls), Wahab Riaz (14 in 19 balls) and Sohail Tanvir (14 in 10 balls) helped Pakistan reach a total that was above par keeping the Sharjah statistic in mind, but not enough to keep the visitors at bay.
Henry finished with 4 for 45 from his ten overs, while McClenaghan had 3 for 56.
With this win, New Zealand levelled the five-match ODI series 1-1. The teams earlier drew both the three-Test series and the two-match Twenty20 International series 1-1.
Please click here to see the full scorecard of Pakistan v New Zealand in Sharjah.
