DUBAI: Pakistan maintained their world champion status in Twenty20 cricket with a 49-run win over New Zealand at Dubai Stadium on Thursday. Opener Imran Nazir lifted Pakistan to 161-8 before the bowlers unleashed a tight line and length to dismiss New Zealand for 112 in 18.3 overs. Brendon McCullum, leading the side in the absence of the injured Daniel Vettori, smashed 17 off the first over bowled by Mohammad Aamir. But Aamir came back strongly by claiming McCullum (19) in his second and Ross Taylor (five) in his third to quash any hopes of an upset. Aamir finished with 2-21. Abdul Razzaq (2-9) then dismissed Scot Styris (four) and Neil Broom (14) before spinners Shahid Afridi (2-21) and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (2-18) wrapped up the New Zealand's innings. Earlier, Nazir hit five fours and four sixes off 38 balls before New Zealand hit back by taking the last six wickets in the space of 69 runs. Nazir and Kamran Akmal (13) took Pakistan to 34 as Nazir hit two successive sixes off Ian Butler's fifth over. Nazir added a quickfire 36 with captain Afridi (24), also completing his second Twenty20 half-century off just 34 balls. Paceman Shane Bond had Nazir caught in the outfield in the 12th over to put the brakes on the innings. Aaron Redmond dismissed Afridi for 24 and Shoaib Malik (six) to finish with 2-24, before hobbling off with a groin injury. Abdul Razzaq hit a 15-ball 26 with three boundaries and a six to give Pakistan's innings a final flourish.