Lou Vincent was the first Kiwi batsman to give his wicket away

Electing to bat first at Newlands, the Black Caps managed just 143-8, a total picked off with some degree of comfort.

Vettori said: "We've been pretty radical with our batting, but can't put a decent performance together."

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik said: "I want to thank my team-mates, all Pakistani people and our fans around the world."

Interview: Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson

Interview: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori

Malik, leading his side with distinction, now faces the prospect of a final against the winners of the India v Australia match in Durban.

He added: "It's a great win. Our bowlers are bowling brilliantly at the moment and contained [New Zealand's batsmen] so well.

"When we came back after the first rain break [with New Zealand on 44-0 in the seventh over] I was saying to the guys 'Come on, this is our day, we have to contain them and keep them to 140,' and we did that."

Vettori also noted that his batsmen had produced a good start, which they were unable to back up.

"We were always chasing out tail after that," he added.

"It just wasn't to be. It's bitterly disappointing and I know the guys are going to be hurting a lot."

Malik said he hoped Pakistan "could be number one very soon."

Umar Gul, the team's match-winner with 3-15 from four overs, added: "We have done a lot of hard work, and had a lot of practice at bowling yorkers and bouncers."