Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 received a setback of sorts with the 3-2 defeat against the lowly ranked New Zealand in the ODI series that concluded in the UAE on Friday.

The national team, though clear favourites to win the five-match contest, failed to perform as a well-oiled unit. Their campaign was further dampened by a spate of injuries to key players including skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Bilawal Bhatti and a few others.

Read: New Zealand beat Pakistan for series win

The Kiwis, on the other hand, proved a surprise package as they put up a thoroughly professional, highly competitive show.

Their comprehensive homework on the strengths and weaknesses of the Pakistan players paid off as they successfully managed to blunt match-winners such as Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez in most games.

Besides, Kiwi newcomers including Adam Milne, Matt Henry and Anton Devcich did surprisingly well to get the better of their highly rated rivals.

Also read: New Zealand beat Pakistan to level Twenty20 series

What should be of greater concern to Pakistan is that this is their third consecutive ODI series loss in the UAE, coming on the heels of a 4-1 drubbing by the Aussies two months ago.

A similar fate befell the team when it played against Sri Lanka last August.

The other major concern is diminishing bowling resources.

No team can afford to lose match-winning bowlers like Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan or Umar Gul, especially in their build-up campaign for the World Cup which commences in Australia and New Zealand from Feb 14 next year.

However, one heartening factor has been the return to form of mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi. The seasoned player looked pretty much in his element as he slammed a flurry of sixes and fours to keep the Kiwi bowlers at bay during the series.

Along with young Haris Sohail who has clearly come of age, he put in some fine all-round performances giving his fans something to cheer about and, perhaps, providing them with a ray of hope vis-à-vis next year’s extravaganza.

Published in Dawn, December 22th, 2014