Skipper Fleming shouldered the load with his unbeaten century

Stephen Fleming hit an unbeaten century to lead New Zealand to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their one-day international.

The victory in Christchurch gives them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The Kiwi captain shared a second-wicket stand of 148 with Hamish Marshall (64) as the Kiwis overhauled Pakistan's total of 255-9 with 22 balls to spare.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan began well but losing wickets at regular intervals despite Saleem Elahi's 80.

I think we were 30 runs short because it was a good batting track, but the middle-order was not going well Pakistan captain Inzamam

Openers Yasir Hameed (44) and Imran Farhat (17) put on 50 for the first wicket, but Inzamam-ul-Haq's side stumbled in mid-innings.

Elahi and Yousuf Youhana added 72 runs together before the latter was run out for 36, reducing the visitors to 144-3.

It started a slide that saw three wickets fall for 12 runs, including a duck for the captain, before Abdul Razzaq steadied the ship.

The all-rounder carried on after Elahi, who scored eight fours and a six from 103 balls faced, was caught by Fleming off Scott Styris to leave Pakistan on 190-7.

Elahi lost his bat but not his nerve in a fine innings

Razzaq made 50 not out from 26 balls as the visitors saw out their 50 overs.

Styris and Daryl Tuffey finished with a brace of scalps, while Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Craig Cumming was an early casualty in New Zealand's chase when Mohammad Sami had him caught by Yasir for three.

But, from 10-1, Fleming and Marshall took over to take the game away from Pakistan.

Marshall's 75-ball knock, which included five fours, came to and end when he holed out to Sami off Shoaib Malik.

I'm predicting an easy win for Pakistan in the next match; the final game will be a cracker From Adeel Habib Have your say on TMS

Styris fired a 16-ball 20 before being bowled by the fit-again Shoaib Akhtar, leaving the hosts 188-3 in the 35th over.

Fleming was joined in the middle by Craig McMillan (36 not out) as the Black Caps cruised home at ease.

The unbreakable home skipper recorded 13 boundaries in his fifth one-day century, which came off 135 balls.

NZ call on Adams

New Zealand have recalled all-rounder Andre Adams for the fourth match, which takes place in Napier on Wednesday.

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami.

Umpires: Darrell Hair (Aus), Billy Bowden (NZ).