The Black Caps were embarrassed in the third ODI, going down by 147 runs in Sharjah on Sunday - with stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi showing his true colours with the added responsibility.
Misbah-ul-Haq (hamstring) was ruled out of the remainder of the series after NZ squared the five-match sequence at 1-1, but Afridi blasted 55 off 26 and snared 3-37 in a standout performance.
The Kiwis, who were bowled out for 217 in the 39th over in their pursuit of Pakistan's 364-7 will want to grab a foothold into the contest in Abu Dhabi or face a series loss.
Ultimately, their bowlers let them down in Sharjah - Corey Anderson almost handed the dishonour of conceding a century as his 10 overs went for 96, while Nathan McCullum (1-49) was the only bowler to concede fewer than six-an-over.
NZ captain Kane Williamson, who top-scored with 46, said his youthful side were battling the different conditions in the United Arab Emirates, but was hopeful of improvement heading to Abu Dhabi.
"We're going into different conditions, it has been happening all tour," Williamson said.
"And as a young unit it is important that we learn about all these different conditions.
"We certainly weren't at our best and Pakistan were at their best and I think that created the gap in the game, which was very large today.
"But we know we can play better than that and it's important that we do."
The Kiwis will again look to strike bowler Matt Henry, who has seven wickets in two ODI appearances this series - in what has been his third and fourth 50-over international matches.
Meanwhile, Pakistan - in the absence of Umar Gul (ankle) and all-rounder Bilawal Bhatti (hand) - will be counting on slow bowlers Afridi and Haris Sohail, the pair netting 12 wickets between them.