New Zealand benefited from Pakistan's batting woes by cantering to a seven-wicket victory yesterday in its first outing of a Sri Lankan one-day cricket tri-series in Dambulla.

　　Pakistan's batsmen fell like ninepins against an incisive attack as they were bundled out for 116 in 43.1 overs with four topsgroupsbatsmen perishing for ducks. New Zealand then coasted to 117 for three in 27.3 overs after openers Chris Nevin (28) and Stephen Fleming (21) survived a fiery opening spell from pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar. Pakistan, which defeated host Sri Lanka by 79 runs on Saturday in the series opener, failed to cope with the Kiwi pace attack on a lively pitch and was dismissed for its lowest score in 65 one-dayers against New Zealand. Its previous lowest total against the Black Caps was 135 at Napier in 2001. Pacemen Shane Bond (two for seven) and Man of the Match Daryl Tuffey (two for 28) did the damage Kiwi skipper Fleming asked Pakistan to bat first on winning the toss.