Pakistan need to achieve a difficult target of 186 runs to beat New Zealand and level the three-match series of Twenty20 Internationals here on Tuesday.

Sent into bat by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, New Zealand made a disastrous start losing Jesse Ryder on the very first ball of the match delivered by Abdul Razzaq.

However, James Franklin (40) and Martin Guptill (44) took their team out of trouble, adding 91 runs for the second wicket.

Later, other batsmen batted aggressively and took the score to 185-7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Scott Styris scored 34 while captain Ross Taylor was unbeaten on 30.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was themost successful bowler for Pakistan taking three wickets for 35.

Pakistan need to win this match to keep the series alive after being soundly beaten by five wickets on Sunday in the first match of the three-match series.

Pakistan made one change from the first match with Asad Shafiq coming in for middle-order batsman Fawad Alam.

New Zealand stood down their two debutants from the opening game, Adam Milne and Dean Brownlie, and brought in all-rounder Luke Woodcock for his debut and new-ball bowler Ian Butler.