A dashing century by Brendon McCullum powered New Zealand to a formidable score of 303 for eight in the second one-day international against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

McCullum, who last month lost the vice-captaincy in a bid by the management to focus his mind on batting and keeping wicket, provided the perfect answer with 131 in 129 balls at the top of the order.

He clubbed 14 boundaries and three sixes on his way to a second ODI ton, an innings which underpinned the Black Caps total after Daniel Vettori won the toss and decided to bat.

Aaron Redmond fell early for six after Mohammed Aamer struck with the new ball before Martin Guptill joined McCullum to add a second-wicket partnership of 126.

Guptill hit two sixes and five fours on his way to a 70-ball 62 before falling to Abdul Razzaq.

Ross Taylor (duck) and Scott Styris (nine) both failed to provide adequate support for the rampaging McCullum, Shahid Afridi accounting for the former before Younus Khan ran out Styris.

The ever-dependable Vettori weighed in with a timely 30, while Jacob Oram worked the ball around intelligently for his run-a-ball 33 not out.

Afridi picked up the wicket of Neil Broom for a second duck of the innings, while Shane Bond hit a brisk 10no at the end of the innings to ease the New Zealanders past the 300 mark.

Aamer took the most punishment, shelling 64 runs in his 10 overs, while only Afridi conceded fewer than 50 - albeit by a single run.

Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after a formidable showing in the series opener.