Brendon McCullum's superb 131 led New Zealand to a series-levelling 64-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

The wicketkeeper smashed 14 fours and three sixes in his 129-ball effort, only his second one-day international hundred, as he led his side to 303 for eight in their 50 overs in the second ODI at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Aaron Redmond fell early for six after Mohammed Aamer struck with the new ball but 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.

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

Afridi took two wickets for 49 runs as Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq also chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Pakistan's reply began well as openers Salman Butt (59) and Khalid Latif (45) put on 77 in 16.2 overs, but Styris (three for 23) stalled their momentum with a spell of three wickets for six runs in 10 balls.

They were always behind the rate from that point on and, though Razzaq chipped in with 35 from 31 balls and Shoaib Malik made 26 from 27, they were bowled out with 2.4 overs remaining to fall well short.

Vettori took two for 37 and Kyle Mills picked up two for 57 as the Black Caps avenged their opening 138-run hammering. The series concludes on Monday at the same venue.