Fleming concedes Kiwis have no answer to Pakistani pace threat

Fleming concedes Kiwis have no answer to Pakistani pace threat
ASSOCIATED PRESS

FEB 19: New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming conceded his lineup doesn't have a ready answer to combat the threat of Pakistan's pace battery on the current five-week cricket tour. Fleming's admission came after fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar snared five wickets to lead Pakistan to a crushing six-wicket win in the series-opening limited-overs clash in Auckland on Sunday.

Pakistan was unlikely to change the winning combination for the second match tommorow at Mclean Park, although skipper Moin Khan said a final decision would not be made until after a pitch inspection in Napier.

After the veteran pace combination of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis had produced early wickets with the new ball, Shoaib, returning from injury after 10 months, grabbed five wickets within 11 balls to skittle the black caps for 149 and set up the win. The loss extended New Zealand's run to 12 losses from 14 matches.

With Pakistan sporting one of the most well balanced bowling attacks in both Test and limited-overs cricket, New Zealand is bracing itself for a tough series. "Yes, it is a very tough series," Fleming said. "We promised ourselves we're going to (fight) all the way through. It was tough going (yesterday). There was no surprises with their bowling. The pinned us early and at the end."

Fleming said his batting lineup was not prepared for the pace of Shoaib.

"Certain guys haven't faced him before. He bowled straight and quick and got some to swing as well - apart from the bowling machine, there aren't too many ways you could practice for that," he said.

Fleming, leading an injury ravaged side minus allrounder Chris Cairns, Dion Nash and Geoff Allott, said New Zealand was letting itself down at crucial stages.

"We get to the advantage line and don't push on," he said. "It's very clear what we have to do and we were close to doing it. (But) we let us down at key times." Moin heaped praise on Shoaib and said it was always crucial to start a tour on a winning note.

"The communication and the coordination between the players are excellent," Moin said. "We are blessed with one of the best (bowling) combinations in world cricket. I think we have the best attack."