Pakistan leg spinner Shadab Khan tossed up a delivery to complete the 13th over in the deciding T20 against New Zealand in Mt Maunganui.

Martin Guptill gave chase.

The opener had reached 59 from 42 balls but, at 87 for two, the required run rate had climbed beyond 13 in the hunt for 182.

The ball spun, forcing Guptill to reach and swat. He caught the bottom of the bat.

His hands were assured.

New Zealand had lost their second wicket in the over, after No.3 Anaru Kitchen was stumped for 16 off 19.

That laid the platform for Pakistan to win the match by 18 runs, take the series 2-1 and regain the world No.1 ranking.

Guptill had shown his customary spark, including a six over the sightscreen off Aamer Yamin which resembled the disco ball satellite traversing the night sky.

A 39-run fifth-wicket stand between Tom Bruce (22 off 15 balls) and Ross Taylor (25 off 11 balls) gave New Zealand late hope. Taylor exited to some conjecture via review when it was deemed he edged a Mohammad Amir delivery behind. He shook his head in departure.

The Pakistan bowlers shared the spoils, but Shadab's control, with two for 19 was the highlight.

New Zealand must be thankful the batting brilliance of Fakhar Zaman appeared sporadically on tour.

He was again in his pomp, blazing 46 from 36 balls to underline his place as one of the game's premier limited overs openers. What a shame no Pakistanis feature in the Indian Premier League auction.

Fakhar was at his best driving with four boundaries, including one where Ish Sodhi's wrong 'un was identified and returned to sender. A slash through point and a pull for six off Colin de Grandhomme further accentuated his skill.

The 27-year-old cuts a slight figure. He conjures up an image of a southpaw bantamweight – albeit a well-protected one – dancing on his side of a rectangular unroped ring. His feet shuffle in a manner of which the late Muhammad Ali would surely have approved.

New Zealand were lucky to dismiss him. Fakhar thrashed the fifth ball of Santner's third over beyond cover. Bruce paced in from the rope, dived and came up with the ball.

Any of the packed Bay Oval embankment could have queued and scoffed a mussel fritter in the time it took for the television umpire to confirm the decision. The big screen replay went back and forth as though a DJ had it on turntables. Bruce, with hands on hips, looked non-plussed as he returned to his position, perhaps wondering if he was about to experience his own Martin Snedden Moment.

Snedden took one of the greatest non-catches the world has seen when he nabbed Greg Chappell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during "The Underarm" match of 1981. The umpires refused to give it out. Fortunately technology helped reached the right conclusion in this 2018 vintage.

Each of Pakistan's top six batsmen produced valuable runs. Outside Fakhar, the other five scored between 18 and 29, each at better than run-a-ball. The first five partnerships of 30, 36, 30, 17 and 33 reflected that.

Mitchell Santner celebrated his maiden IPL selection – to the Chennai Super Kings for $107,000 - by taking the wickets of Fakhar and Sarfraz Ahmed (29 off 21 balls) to finish with two for 24.