 After winning the Test series, Pakistan comfortably sealed the six match
one day series at Hamilton. Pakistan won the match by 41 runs to shut New Zealand
out of the series. The last game of this complete tour will be played on Saturday
February 5.
The Auckland encounter will be a day game Pakistan lead the series 3-1 while
going into the final game.
Click for Live Score Card of New Zealand Vs Pakistan
New Zealand may have tried one combinations too many. The series against Pakistan
had not been disappointing due to result only. It leaves the Kiwi side completely
unsure of their World Cup combinations with only one game and few warm up encounters
to go. This ought to hurt them badly.
The other thing which is hurting New Zealand is the lack of fitness among some
key players. Daniel Vettori has had a cat and mouse all series with his
hamstring, before he sat out in the last game. Jesse Ryder was clearly
not at his best with fitness at Hamilton.
New Zealand's problems mainly lie in the unthreatening bowling and plan lacking
batting. New Zealand's stand in captain Ross Taylor said that the batsmen not
being able to build on starts in the main reason for the Kiwi demise. Batting
positions are not clearly defined which has left Brendon McCullum more uncertain
than anyone else.
Jamie How's dismal form means there might yet be some changes in the last match.
Daniel Vettori may return for the Auckland game. In the past he has turned things
around for New Zealand and it's time to him to step up again.
New Zealand have won one of their last five matches.
Pakistan have not looked more compact and rallied unit in a while now. Surprisingly
the batsmen are all well set and well informed for their roles. Having a consistently
performing batting lineup is something new for Pakistan.
To add to their bliss, the 17 year old opener from Lahore Ahmad Shahzad
scored his first century for Pakistan in the last game, which means he is all
set to go with Mohammad Hafeez for the World Cup. Pakistan's bowling
and their bowling tactics is slightly puzzling.
Pakistan have not played a specialist spinner in the series and it is still
unclear if Abdur Rehman will get a shot at Auckland. Inconsistency of Sohail
Tanvir and fitness of Shoaib Akhtar is a worry for Pakistan management.
Having said that, Pakistan bowlers were on top of their games in the last game,
they were fast and accurate. Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, and Wahab Riaz all clocked
the speed of 145 kph with ease. This is a scary prospect for New Zealand
and possibly for the teams Pakistan will play in World Cup.
Pakistan have won three of their last five completed matches.
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