Live scoring: Black Caps rally to reach 262 (+ photos)

Abdul Razzaq of Pakistan bowls during game four of the One Day International Series between New Zealand and Pakistan. Photo / Getty Images

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The stage was set for the batsmen but New Zealand's lower order were left to deliver the punch-lines as the hosts posted 262 for seven batting first in the fourth one-day cricket international against Pakistan here today.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat on a typical McLean Park belter, with scores of 300-plus only considered par in these conditions, but it was left to James Franklin and Nathan McCullum to drag the hosts up to a semi-respectable total after the top order fell over.

Franklin top scored with 62 from 75 balls, the Wellington allrounder only a late addition to the team after opening batsman Jesse Ryder was ruled out with a finger injury.

He featured in two key partnerships, putting on 62 runs for the sixth wicket with Brendon McCullum, who scored 37 off 39 balls, and 64 runs for the seventh wicket with Nathan McCullum, who was unbeaten on 53 from 58 balls.

The trio were responsible for lifting New Zealand to a defendable total after they had been 79 for five, though Pakistan will be favoured to chase down a below par total on what is an excellent batting strip with short square boundaries.

New Zealand were in real strife after 40 overs but they added 48 runs in the five-over power play, from the 41st over, and totalled 88 runs from the final 10 overs as Nathan McCullum mixed guile with power to reach his first half century.

He and Daniel Vettori (13 not out) put on 57 unbeaten runs from 39 balls for the eighth wicket.

The tourists will be happy with their victory target but won't be entirely pleased with their effort in the field.

They let New Zealand off the hook and gave away cheap runs - they bowled 19 wides among 33 extras. They also fluffed a couple of simple chances to run Franklin out, while Umar Akmal dropped a straightforward chance off the left-hander when on 23.

New Zealand started brightly enough with openers Jamie How and Martin Guptill keen to make use of splendid conditions for batting and racing through to 37 without loss in six overs.

What followed was simply unfathomable. Three wickets fell for four runs in 11 balls as the top order self destructed.

Guptill looked a million dollars getting to 21 before he steered an innocuous delivery from Wahab Riaz straight to Younis Khan at short midwicket.

How made his way comfortably through to 13 before he pulled a long hop from Abdul Razzaq directly to Umar Akmal on the deep square leg boundary. Akmal did not have to move and How trod off in utter disbelief at his error.

Ross Taylor drove at Riaz in the next over and was caught by Khan at first slip for four.

Scott Styris and Kane Williamson attempted to consolidate, adding 24 runs in eight overs before they both had their own brain fades.

Styris called Williamson through for a run, but was turned back and run out by some distance. Williamson imploded soon after by dancing down the wicket and hitting offspinner Hafeez straight down Khan's throat at long on.

Left-armer Wahab Riaz was the chief wicket-taker for Pakistan with three for 51 from 10 overs.

The six-match series is level at 1-1.

- NZPA