Pakistan seek to get their revenge on Kiwis

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan might have a notorious reputation for their inconsistency, but they still instill fear among rivals for their ability to pull off equally devastating victories when down in the dumps.

In today's decider of the Cool & Cool Cup against New Zealand, Pakistan will be looking to gain revenge on the Kiwis, who had knocked them out in the Champions Trophy semifinal and who outclassed them here on Friday in front of their ‘home' crowd.

Under pressure both for his lack of runs and from some dissident activity within the team, Younus Khan will not only have to score and lead from the front but also hope that the squad closes its ranks and plays as a team.

With New Zealand having adapted to the conditions well after being thrashed in the first match here by Pakistan, recent record also gives them a boost, the Kiwis having won seven of their last ten matches against Pakistan.

After Friday's comprehensive turnaround, skipper Daniel Vettori has further warned that some of his players were yet to perform and among them is Ross Taylor, who is yet to open his account in two matches.

Taylor, in roaring form in the IPL, however did make with some outstanding fielding, an area in which the Kiwis are a class apart from the butter-fingered Pakistanis.

Veteran Scott Styris, one of the heroes of Friday's win said yesterday after nets, "We take great pride in our fielding and treat it equally as batting and bowling so if you are 34 or 18, it is important to play your part in the fielding. It can change the game."

In Shane Bond and Kyle Mills, New Zealand have a pair who can add to the woes of the Pakistani batsmen while Vettori is always a handful on any type of surface. With Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptil in form, the Kiwis look more balanced.

However, with a large crown expected despite it being a working day, the Pakistani supporters led by ‘Cricket Chacha' will be hoping the two pathans-Shahid Afridi and Younus — will get the others to rally around them.

Team morale is certainly low but all they need is one good display here to lift the Cool & Cool Cup and silence critics.

However it will be an uphill task as rival skipper Vettori has said, "Whenever it is a must-win game we step it up."