The ‘Haka’ is a war cry introduced by the indigenous people of New Zealand the Maoris who before a battle would stamp the ground on bended knees and with their tongues protruding would shake their arms and shoulders side to side shouting loudly to take up the enemy challenge.

For nearly a century this has been their trade mark and was adopted by their ‘All Blacks’ rugby team no matter where they played. Its popularity is no more restricted to such occasions now since it is now popularly practised to welcome guests, celebrate a wedding or to bid farewell to the departing soul.

Its fascination is such that even the European settlers in New Zealand practice it with as much vigour as do the indigenous population. It is no doubt a sight to behold and I did happen to watch this on a number of times on my visits to New Zealand and also at the All Blacks matches wherever they played in the world.

Somehow the Haka has not caught up with the New Zealand cricket team so far nor have I ever watched them perform this traditional war cry before the commencement of a Test or an ODI.

The only time that I have witnessed emotions pouring out from them, was when they were handed over a shock defeat in the semi-final of the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan beat them to enter the final which they won at the MCG.

The Kiwis were on a roll in that World Cup till they met Pakistan and had their dream shattered by Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 37 ball 60 in the semi-final at Auckland and Moin Khan’s six at cover in the end prior to Imran Khan and Javed Miandad’s run chase.

The crowd stood on their feet no less to applaud their performance as Martin Crowe and his men took the lap of honour with tears running down their cheeks.

I had never experienced outpouring of such emotions before or after from any cricket team. Not even when at Abu Dhabi Pakistan outplayed them to win the Test. They were outdone by a much galvanised team led by Misbah-ul-Haq.

Even on the eve of the second Test of the three-match series here at the Dubai Cricket Stadium they appear to be in full control of their emotions and the predicament that could be in store for them knowing how well and how effectively Pakistan has recovered from its setbacks in the last few months.

On the pitches of the UAE where Pakistan is a lot more familiar and expected to continue in the same mood, this series for New Zealand has become even more demanding and soul searching. A loss here would mean the end of the series for them before it is over and a win no doubt will keep them in the running.

I feel that there may be a couple of changes in their outfit for today’s game but more than that I would think they will need a ‘Haka’ and a war cry to be fully charged for the assault on Pakistan team which on performance look so impregnable and unbeatable.

Brendon McCullum the Kiwi captain does have the taste of these pitches in this part of the world when playing in the IPL league in recent times and realise the problems that his team is up against when facing Pakistan bowlers or when bowling at their batsmen who have so far displayed unusual form right from the day they took up Australia and grinded them to the ground.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2014