Pakistan vs. New Zealand, 5th ODI, Hamilton, preview
Pakistan have taken a lead of 2-1 with two games remaining in the series. The latest game was a nail biter at Napier. The defining innings played by Misbah (93) was what made the difference in the end.
The next game is scheduled to take place on the 3rd of February at Seddon Park, Hamilton. There is not much to choose between the two sides keeping Misbah apart, whose knock in the last match has become more of a coaching manual for batsmen from
both teams.
New Zealand coach, John Wright, went on to call Misbah the ‘glue’ of Pakistan’s batting line-up and is hoping for somebody in his side to step up and perform a similar role.
New Zealand’s top order collapsed again like a house of cards at Napier as they found themselves dwindling at 89 for 5 on a batting paradise. It was an all too familiar situation when the later order came to the rescue and gave the bowlers something to bowl
at.
The Kiwis finally ended their 11 match losing streak winning the first game of the ODI series but things are not looking good as they are heading down the same dark path again losing two in a row.
The coach and captain have continued with the rotation policy but the cost of experimentation is something they need to be critical about, they wouldn’t want to go 4-1 in a home series before the World Cup and it’s high time they pick their best side and
stick with it.
Skipper, Daniel Vettori, tweaked his hamstring in the last game and Jesse Ryder picked up a finger injury in a domestic game. The appearance of both the players in the next game is doubtful, which makes selection issues even worse.
The batsmen of both teams need to lose the habit of throwing their wickets away. Both teams gave each other plenty of chances to make comebacks, something that’s not associated with respectable teams.
Pakistani bowlers let the Kiwis get to 262 when at one stage they were struggling at 89 for 5.
Pakistan batsmen played some senseless cricket in the batting power play giving away three crucial wickets.
Giving second chances to professional teams makes one a sinner in the cricket world. The ability to grab opportunities is what separates a good team from a consistent one and vice versa.
Tim Southee, the strike bowler for New Zealand, have had a couple of forgettable games, he has gone for plenty of runs in Christchurch as well as Napier, and, is expected to be given a rest for the next one at Hamilton. Kyle http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mills-c76321 is probably going to get
a go.
Pakistan’s bowlers have followed the same trend from the Test series. At times they come up with brilliant spells but soon the luster fades away. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 has to make sure they do away with the dual nature of their bowling quality if they want to put on
a good show in the next game.
Pakistan’s batting order needs some tweaking as well. Kamran Akmal’s role at no.3 seems to be backfiring. Umer Akmal has played at the same position in the past but putting responsibility on his young shoulders when the big guns are waiting for their turn
in the dressing room seems like an unlikely option.
If they stick with the same order then Kamran Akmal will have to raise his game a little and play responsibly to cement his place in the team for the mega event.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 is in a do or die situation at the moment. They will be under pressure to deliver in the next game at Hamilton as the onus is on them to keep the series alive.
They have had a mixed run at Seddon Park in the past. Out of the last five games they have played at the venue, they have lost two and won two including a famous run-chase of 346 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. The pitch is a sporting one, seeing off the new ball is
going to be the key for both the teams and a score of above 250 is always on the cards at this venue.
The weather is going to play its part as it is forecasted to be partly cloudy but there are no chances of rain. Cloud cover always helps seam bowling.
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