New Zealand will need to bounce back quickly from their one-day series loss against Pakistan and prepare for the World Cup later this month. The Black Caps found themselves way short of what was required to overcome a rejuvenated Pakistan side and they will need to strengthen in all aspects of their game if they are to have any chance of doing anything in the upcoming tournament and the Cricket World Cup betting reflects this. The hosts lost the fifth match of the series by 41 runs, Pakistan taking an unassailable 3-1 lead heading into the final match.
On a slow pitch in Hamilton Pakistan managed to defend their modest total of 269, the Kiwi's falling to 227 all out with three overs to spare. The obvious failing came in New Zealand's top order, only Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill scoring any decent runs as the Pakistan bowlers took wickets on a regular basis.
Stand-in skipper for the day Taylor was left frustrated by his side's performance and admitted the team was suffering from a lack of confidence.
“When we're getting ourselves into those positions, the confidence is probably not there and when that's the case, results don't seem to go your way," he said.
"We're just losing wickets at crucial times, whether it's brain explosions or what we just keep losing wickets at times we can't afford to.”
The Kiwis should be boosted by the return of skipper Daniel Vettori before the World Cup kicks off for them against Kenya on the 20th. The inspiring all-rounder was missing from the line-up for the fifth game defeat with injury but is expected to return ahead of the tournament.
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