New Zealand have completed their official Azlan Shah tournament buildup with a 3-3 draw against hosts Malaysia in their second test in Kuala Lumpur.
The result was a vast improvement on the first international 24 hours earlier when the world No 14 Malaysians thumped the Black Sticks, ranked No 8,8-2.
The game was level 1-1 for much of the contest before a late flurry of goals.
Canterbury's Sam Lane got his second goal in as many days to open New Zealand's scoring from a well worked penalty corner early in the second quarter.
Malaysia equalised through Marhan Jahlil three minutes later and went ahead seven minutes from the end with a goal by Fitri Saari.
However two goals in the 55th minute from Stephen Jenness and Nick Ross, both with field goals, had New Zealand's nose in front.
Malaysia grabbed a draw in the final minute with a penalty corner converted by Faizal Saari.
New Zealand open the annual Azlan Shah tournament against world No 1 Australia on Saturday night, before further games against No 6 India on Sunday night, No 16 Japan on Tuesday night, Malaysia 24 hours later and Britain, who as England are world No 7.
