Phillips fireworks see NZ snatch ODI series decider against Pakistan.

KARACHI -- Pakistan were ecstatic. They must have thought they were in it after Kane Williamson's solid innings ended with an anticlimactic run-out.

The crowd at the National Stadium here on a cold Friday night was roaring as it prepared for celebrations.

But what followed was not only shocking but terrorising for the hosts and their fans.

Glenn Phillips, who had hardly posed a threat in the first two matches of the three-match series, launched a counterattack, clubbing whichever Pakistan bowler came in his way for raining boundaries and sixes.

The right-hander left the crease, only after ensuring New Zealand's two-wicket win in the final One-day International and a 2-1 series triumph for the visitors.

Phillips scored a 42-ball 63 not out studded with four fours and as many sixes and proved crucial in a tough-looking chase of 281 set by Pakistan, thanks to Fakhar Zaman's century.

NEW ZEALAND'S Glenn Phillips plays a shot during his match-winning knock as Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Riawan looks on.-White Star

It was the first series defeat for Pakistan after three consecutive series wins and it also meant the hosts missed out on a chance of finishing top of the ICC ODI rankings.

Phillips, however, wasn't flawless. He did make a mistake, one good enough to be called an opportunity for Pakistan. As Usama Mir, who had given his team a breakthrough with Daryl Mitchell's dismissal earlier, found Phillips' outside edge, only for wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan to spill it while the batter was playing at 51 and was definitely the most important scalp Pakistan needed.

Phillips was all New Zealand needed after the side's top and middle-order had set up a solid base. But quick wickets fell - Mitchell found Usama at third man off Agha Salman's off-spin before Williamson was run out at the striker's end thanks to a bullet-like throw by Mohammad Wasim at third man to Rizwan for the latter to dislodge the stumps - leaving New Zealand jittering with 112 to win off 99 balls.

In came Philips, and only on his second delivery dispatched Usama for a boundary through midwicket and launched Salman for a huge six over square leg.

He treated a shorter one by spinner Mohammad Nawaz in a similar way before chipping Wasim down the ground for a boundary.

Phillips looked in total control when he used a short-arm jab to clear square leg off pacer Haris Rauf before lifting a slower one by Wasim for another big six over midwicket.

After Phillips scored another boundary...