Maybe the chill in the Canterbury air was more suited to the visitors but the NZ XI escaped with a one-run win in a game they had a grip on early in the chase, then should have lost at the death.
Scotland, one of four associate member countries who have qualified for the Cup early next year, had the NZ XI in trouble at 209 for nine before some late hitting by Kyle Mills and Matt Henry got the hosts up to 263.
Captain Brendon McCullum and allrounder Corey Anderson made half centuries in between several misses from other batsmen.
With Scotland 41-3 in reply, the NZ XI were well in charge. However, a 111-run stand between Hamish Gardiner (54) and Matt Machan, who hit a fine run-a-ball 86, righted the Scottish ship.
Freddie Coleman's bracing 56 pushed Scotland ever closer to what would have been a celebrated win.
The Scots needed seven off the final over with last pair Alasdair Evans and Majid Haq together. When Evans inside edged Mitch McClenaghan's third ball for four, they needed just two off three balls, but could not finish the job.
Evans was run out, sprawling into the bowler's end, leaving the visitors an agonising run short of a tie.
Dan Vettori's keenly awaited comeback produced a tidy 10 overs for 43.
The NZ XI play Ireland in Hamilton on Saturday. Scotland face Canterbury tomorrow.
- David Leggat of the New Zealand Herald
