Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) Photo CricInfo

Some three weeks ago, before the start of the limited-overs series, I had predicted that following a beating at the hands of Sri Lanka, the Kiwis were in for more of the same. It has turned out to be otherwise, and I insist, not because of my evaluation of the strengths of the two sides, I was not the only one making such dire predictions. Even a most cursory glance at the news and comments emanating from New Zealand, at around that time would show you that everyone was predicting doom and gloom for the Black Caps.

This reverse in the Black Caps' fortunes is really surprising, and they should be grateful to their opponents for snatching defeats (yes, as many as three of them) from the jaws of victory. Had Pakistan not seriously lacked in commitment and application, New Zealand would be anything but full of jubilation right now. The so predictable unpredictability of the Pakistanis did them in again.

Having said that, I must acknowledge that the Kiwis made the most of Pakistan's lapses to retrieve the situation for themselves. Digging themselves out of the pits was by no means easy, especially in the absence of such high-class players as Chris Cairns, Geoff Allot, Shayne O'Connor and Dion Nash. But the youngsters, main among them being Daryl Tuffey, Jacob Oram and Lou Vincent, showed the resolve to do well in big time cricket, and made up for the dearth of experience. Trailing by 2-1, they made 280-odd runs in the next two outings – first setting up a highly competitive target, and then in a magnificent run chase – against a highly potent attack to outgun Pakistan. That is high-grade stuff, and must be commended.

Coming to the series decider, in the last match, Pakistan posted a total, which was, considering the conditions, 25 to 30, runs short. On a good batting track and fast outfield, it was quite achievable. The New Zealand strategists had done a good job in providing a lightning fast outfield, on which the pace of our bowlers could be turned into boundaries.

The important factor in this was going to be the Pakistan bowling and its ability to prize early wickets. That advantage, however, was neutralised when Nathan Astle was dropped twice early on, when he had scored 13 and then later, with Stephen Fleming – who led from the front by choosing to open against a deadly new-ball attack – also enjoying a lucky drop.

Now, Astle is a tough cookie, and he rode his luck, executing some scintillating shots to take the match away from Pakistan, and in the process roared his way back to form. Pakistan seemed to be clawing their way back as New Zealand faltered on the home stretch, and lost four wickets. At this point Shoaib Akhtar got two wickets in two deliveries, and on the hat-trick ball seemed to have Oram plumb in front but umpire Steve Dunne saw it otherwise. He conceded a few extras, and the Kiwis survived the scare, they were too close to the target anyway and that old war horse, Chris Harris, hung in there till the end to make sure that they went past it.

Pakistan may have posted a stiffer target, had it not lost wickets in a bunch – but it all started when Dunne adjudged Youhana leg before. Yousuf Youhana and Imran Farhat were really tearing into the attack, when this happened off Craig McMillan. The ball had landed outside the off stump, and no way was Youhana out. Youhana (68) was playing a fluent knock and seemed destined for greater things, maybe a hundred for himself, and a bigger total for Pakistan, when he got that unfortunate decision.

Pakistan must have rued those two decisions (the one against Youhana and the one in favour of Oram) by Dunne, but I would say, they could have still survived had they not had so many butter fingers in the field, and lack of discipline in bowling (39 extras – 25 wides, 5 no balls – were conceded, which really borders on the criminal) and some highly unimaginative captaincy and field placing.

Before I move on, a word about Imran Farhat. This left-handed lad from Lahore seems to have a lot of potential and loads of confidence. The way he took on Daniel Vettori and Chris Harris showed he is not afraid of putting his repertoire of shots on display. I'm sure we would see good strokes flowing from his bat.

Anyway, now that the Black Caps feel rejuvenated, Moin and his charges in the forthcoming Test series have their work cut out for them. They would surely have to lift their game a notch or two to halt the buoyant hosts in their victorious tracks and maintain their outstanding record against them.

Evaluating the two teams in terms of potential, everybody would grant that the Pakistanis are streets ahead and thus should be able to put the Black Caps to the sword. With Inzamam-ul-Haq not likely to take part in the first, and perhaps also the second Test, Saqlain Mushtaq's participation too, being in doubt, and Shoaib Akhtar back home, Pakistan still has enough firepower to destroy New Zealand.

In the absence of Inzamam, which is indeed a serious blow, Youhana will have to hold the fort. He is in very good nick and should be able to play the role of a sheet anchor around which the middle order revolves. Younis Khan has been sent over, and I rate him very highly; he is also an exceptional fielder and Pakistan, being traditionally weak in this department, can benefit by his presence. Humayun Farhat, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is also a very talented youngster who could man a specialist position in the middle order. Then there is Misbahul Haq from Sargodha, another rookie who has forced his inclusion on the sheer weight of runs scored in domestic first class cricket and said to be a good prospect.

In bowling, Arshad Khan has been selected when I thought the selectors should have preferred Shoaib Malik, on the basis of first class performance and current form. Malik has consistently been doing well in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with both bat and ball. Only recently, he took a decent bag of wickets and also scored 83 and 115 for PIA in one game.

If Saqlain sits out the matches, I think that Mushtaq Ahmad, despite being out of match practice, should find some purchase, given the vulnerability of the Kiwis against leg-spin bowling.

More than crowing about available resources, the important things that the Pakistanis need to learn and inculcate are a positive attitude, and commitment and dedication to the cause of the team. If they take a leaf out of the Aussie book, and could be as clinically ruthless, there is no reason that sides much stronger than this present New Zealand team would be far easier for them to beat.

The task at hand for Moin and his boys is to draw first blood at Auckland and then continue building on it

Ed: Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) is a former Test cricketer, and has served as a PCB selector nine times; his last stint (1999-2000) was as chief selector.

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