Sixth one-day international, Auckland:
New Zealand 311-7 (50 overs) beat Pakistan 254 (44.1 ovs) by 57 runs
Match scorecard

Ryder's century was his second in the one-day format

A determined New Zealand held off Pakistan to win by 57 runs and salvage some pride in the last one-dayer having already lost the six-match series.

Jesse Ryder scored 107 and combined in a 123-run partnership with Martin Guptill (44), while Nathan McCullum hit 65 as the hosts made a healthy 311-7.

Kamral Akmal top-scored for Pakistan with 89 and a 44 by captain Shahid Afridi provided some resistance.

But Hamish Bennett took four wickets to help the Black Caps edge to victory.

James Franklin also secured three victims with the ball as New Zealand came through with five overs to spare and secure only a second win in 16 one-day internationals.

The victory at least provided some joy for the hosts in a hard-fought series, which Pakiston won 3-2.

New Zealand's triumph in the final match will also give them a small boost ahead of the World Cup in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka which begins later this month.

"It has been a tough six months but to finish it on that note was very satisfying," said New Zealand captain Ross Taylor.

"Hopefully we can take some momentum into the World Cup and get a couple of wins in the warm-up games and take it into the real matches."

I just wanted to go out and express myself and back my ability New Zealand's Jesse Ryder

Victory in Hamilton in the fifth one-dayer for Pakistan ensured Saturday's encounter in Auckland was a dead rubber but this did little to dampen the New Zealand efforts when they were forced to open the batting.

After Brendon McCullum (12) made a a swift return to the pavilion, Ryder stepped in to make his 107 off 93 balls, hitting Umar Gul for two boundaries and a six to cross his fifty - as he and Guptill took the total past 100 in 15 overs.

Taylor (5) and Franklin (8) both fell cheaply but Ryder fired on, eventually undone by a catch by Sohail Tanvir after a big heave to deep midwicket off Mohammad Hafeez in the 36th over.

An unbeaten 58 from Scott Styris and a few fireworks from Nathan McCullum helped to pick up 72 valuable runs in the final five overs to post an imposing total for Pakistan to chase.

However, thanks to the bowling of Bennett and Franklin, the tourists rarely threatened in the run-chase, although a lively 89 from Akmal in 84 balls gave them something to think about.

Afridi and Sohail Tanvir (30) provided some resistance in the closing stages before the team were finally dismissed for 254.

"We tried really hard," said Pakistan coach Waqar Younis. "We gave it a good run but unfortunately we lost momentum.

"We lost a wicket at the wrong time. It was a matter of playing overs. But overall, I think they played better than us, especially when we were bowling, so they deserved it."

Ryder, who needed a runner because of a leg injury during his mammoth innings, was delighted with his knock.

"Its been a frustrating series for me with all those ducks under my belt," he said.

"But batting at three I just wanted to go out and express myself and back my ability. To go out and score 100 just tops it off before the World Cup."

All-rounder Jacob Oram was a late withdrawal in Auckland with an inflamed foot and will be monitored closely before heading to the World Cup.

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