Tigers to kittens: New Zealand make it 4-0 after de Grondhomme bitz

There we have it New Zealand has taken the 5-match ODI series 4-0 with a heartbreaking 5 wicket win over Pakistan in Hamilton. 

Words like dissapointing, weak, unmotivated, disheartening and ill-disciplined would be words that would best describe the performances that Pakistan have shown throughout this series. Whereas, ruthless, consistent and disciplined would suit the style of cricket that New Zealand has played so far. 

Watching every ball of this series so far, Pakistan has all but failed to demonstrate their skill as a team and have performed well below par to what is an ICC event winning team. What we have seen throughout this tour is that the Pakistani top order is looking immensely scared and tentative. Which is explaining why the tourists have not been able to form an opening partnership that is able to last more than 5 overs. This has been the most shocking aspect of what has been an already very tragic series for Pakistan, is that the top order has failed every time and there is such a lack of responsibility shown by the senior players most times. 

After what had been one of Pakistan's worst displays of batting, I thought that an all-time low had been reached. Being dismissed for a shameful 74 in the 3rd ODI certainly left more questions than answers regarding the players in the team. I for one believe that Pakistan has gone into these matches in the hope that they will pull out a "champions trophy' performance with the same team that one it for them. And to that, I believe that it is a foolish and ignorant approach to what was a massive opportunity for a young side to announce their dominance overseas. However, with Pakistan's emphasis being on the New Zealand team and the Champions Trophy triumph, they have all but forgotten how to bat in a manner that is going to win them games. 

It was good to see that Pakistan had gone in with the decision to make the change to drop Azhar Ali who has done almost close to nothing this series so far. Brining Fahim Ashraf to the top order I thought was a reckless ploy and was so unnecessary that it again left Pakistan in a big hole at the start of the innings. Whilst some may say that it was a positive move to have Ashraf play aggressively at the top, but I question why Fakhar Zaman played the defensive role. This tactic not only has left the top order out of balance but has both openers diverted from their natural game. This only led to more trouble as the lack of strike rotation by Zaman had Pakistan's best batsmen playing a rash shot to continue what has been a very poor series for Babar Azam. 

I believe that the move to drop Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez would have been the better option or even Sarfaraz Ahmed who has a really good reputation opening the batting. I would like to have seen the captain open the batting and assert his authority as the leader of a team and try and inspire with the bat and weather the early storm for the team. But much like the timid nature of the Pakistan team this series, the top order failed to leave Pakistan at 2/12 and in a very familiar dull situation. 

But in fairness to Pakistan, the poor start they had to this game, their batting reply was not the worse performance. In fact, it was a decent effort to be able to post 262 runs after early wickets and a bowling attack that has destroyed the tourists. In particular the batting of Fakhar Zaman (54), Haris Sohail (50), Mohammad Hafeez (81) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (51) all batting very nicely throughout the innings. In particular to Haris Sohail who came in for Azhar and it is fair to say that he was all class out in the middle and certainly showed his form with the bat. 

One major criticism on Pakistan's innings despite the top order failure was the batting intent shown against Kane Williamson who produced a very healthy 10 over spell of 2/32. It was this passage of play in which cost Pakistan close to around 30 to 40 runs where they failed to rotate the strike on a regular basis and simply allowed the part-timer to settle in and take pretty crucial wickets in Sohail and Malik. Whilst I believe Malik has also done close to nothing this series, the wicket of Sohail surely sent the tourists back around 40 potential runs. 

Nonetheless, 262 was a decent total in which Pakistan was certainly in the game to defend. Overall, I think Pakistan has actually bowled quite well this series and have not really allowed New Zealand to go on and score those mammoth totals that they are known to make on their home turfs. With the ball coming onto the bat nicely, New Zealand's innings went off to a great start with Guptill (31) and Munro (56) laying the foundation for Williamson (32) to finish off the chase. But it was the middle overs where Pakistan showed glimpses of the revised spirit that was seen in the previous 8 months as quick wickets soon let Pakistan back in the driver's seat. 

It is often said that luck favours the brave. There is no doubt that Colin de Grondhomme was brave, but it was a chanceless inning as he simply stole the game from Pakistan in a matter of 10 minutes. His stellar innings of 74 from 40 balls was a knock that will certainly be remembered for a long time, as he got New Zealand from a losing situation to a pretty comfortable win in the space of 8 overs. 

One of the issues that I had whilst observing Pakistan's bowling is their 'spearhead' in Mohammad Amir. Can he even be called a spearhead if he isn't taking wickets? I can answer the fact that he is a fine bowler with immense class but I think that he has developed a very poor approach to bowling since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy. I think that he is bowling too much of a back length and that he is more focused on being defensive rather than looking to take wickets. Amir's reputation is flurried on the basis that was a ruthless wicket-taker in all conditions. But for some reason, whilst his economy rate is a suburb, he is not taking wickets and this is hurting Pakistan as he is their recognised frontline bowler. Some debate has sparked whether he shouldn't open the bowling, which I think is rubbish. He is a wicket-taker when he pitches the ball up. It seems that he is bowling a back of the length and looking to get the outside edge or produce a magic delivery. Rather he should be looking to hit the stumps which does get him more wickets and look to be aggressive. 

I would say that Pakistan did have a much better game today despite the loss. Their batting improved somewhat and it was good to see that 4 of their batsmen went on to make half centuries. Even to the bowling, I though Shadab Khan bowled extremely well as he looked like the only one who was trying to get a wicket and I thought that this energy and brilliant figures of 3/42 was the reason Pakistan even had a chance at winning this game.  But I think that some more changes are required for Pakistan going into the final match if they are looking to restore some dignity. I would like to see either Mohammad Nawaz or Amir Yamin come in for Ruman Raees. Furthermore, I would like to see Imam ul Haq come in for a very underperforming Shoaib Malik as he as also done very little this series. 

However, well played to New Zealand I believe that they have been absolutely ruthless against Pakistan and are continuing their reputation as a great ODI side, especially in their home conditions. 

Let's hope for a much closer game for the fifth and final ODI of the series before the T20 series begins. 

MY 5TH ODI PAKISTAN XI: Fahkar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c) (wk), Fahim Ashraf, Amir Yamin, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali