Pakistan vs New Zealand - Road to World Cup 2011

Pakistan vs New Zealand - Road to ICC World Cup 2011

The series hosted by New Zealand, at home, provided some good cricket for all the cricket fans around the globe. Though Pakistan managed to win it, but both teams derived benefits from it.

New Zealand - Finally Lose their losing streak!

New Zealand managed to win 2 of the 5 ODIs, and some of their batsmen found their form. This should be a booster for New Zealand, ahead of the World Cup. India's flat tracks might be very suitable to players like Jesse Ryder, How, and Taylor. If Guptill continues to perform the way he performed in this series, New Zealand would be able to get good positive starts. Long batting lineup, that Kiwis possess could prove to be explosive in India.

Pakistan - Manage a series win in 3 years!

Pakistan has managed to win an ODI series after 3 years - that is just ahead of the World Cup. The win, certainly, should be a morale booster for Pakistan. They have found the right balance for their ODI eleven. Openers are trying to give their 100 percent, middle order is sticking around the middle overs, and the hitters (Afridi & Razzaq) have exploded at times, when needed. So, overall a good team Pakistan has.

Overall the Two Teams Analysis:

Neither of the teams are considered favorites in the World Cup, but the good form they have found ahead of the World Cup (New Zealand 2 wins in 5 games, after losing 11 straight - then Pakistan managing to win an ODI series after 3 years) could allow them to the Glory. The World Cup format suits both the teams, and much effort, and a bit of luck they could shock the world.

The World Cup - 14 nations:

This World Cup should be interesting, just like the ones in the past. The format this World Cup follows allows for more upsets, therefore, making it harder to predict that who would be the winner. There are 14 nations playing in this tournament - even if we write off some of the teams from World Cup Glory, we would still be left with 8-9 possibilities (9 if Bangladesh is considered).

Let's see who wins this tight contest!