A tight series has seen Pakistan twice take the lead, but the tourists have come fighting back and made it 2-2 with a seven-run win in the fourth match on Wednesday.
With the Cricket World Cup on the horizon, both teams know the importance of building momentum, meaning the final ODI should be fascinating.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis knows his side must improve on Wednesday's performance after sloppy fielding errors allowed New Zealand to set a victory total of 300, something they fell just short of.
Waqar expects his players to produce under pressure and has stressed to them the importance of finishing 2014 with a victory.
"Honestly, we lost the [last] match because of the fielding," he said. "We gave away some 20-25 runs in the field and that is a worrying sign for me.
"I am happy at the fight, the expectations we had with our batting were fulfilled and we maintained a nine plus average, unfortunately we couldn't finish that but the fight pleased me.
"This series is for us to utilise and get the clear picture who are the final 15 [players for the World Cup] and besides that win this series."
Pakistan will again look to experienced duo Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi after the pair showed great form with the bat on Wednesday.
Younis struck 103 off 117 deliveries – his first ODI century in six years – while his captain was at his flamboyant best in getting Pakistan close to the target, Afridi hitting five fours and two sixes in a 25-ball 49.
New Zealand have shown great spirit to stay in the series, particularly after a 147-run defeat in the third match.
Captain Kane Williamson, who hit 123 to set up Wednesday's victory, said: "It was nice to bounce back.
"It was just about executing the plans we had, and just trying to build partnerships and it was great to come back with the ball in the second part of the Pakistan innings.
"It was a much improved performance and there is much we want to improve on and I am sure we do it in the last match."
Victory for New Zealand would be their second successive series win in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan, having previously won 2-1 in 2009.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will be desperate to take the victory and claim their first ODI series win in 2014 at the fourth attempt.