[Tehsin]

Early Wickets
Mash Effect
Raj backup
Home field and familiar wicket advantage

All those worked in our favor in the first match. Our problem has never been the one-off performance. Our problem has been consistency. That's why a series win is more important for us to even start talking about progress. I will also take a TOUGH series loss because we are playing a strong NZ side. Before I forget - NZ not playing any ODi since July also worked in our favor. The loss didn't give teir top order the opportunity to shake off the rust. Let's hope the lack of match practice and another MASHRAJ extravaganza keeps NZ around the 200 mark and a BIGZTIEID batting pulls thorugh in the 2nd/3rd ODI.

I also get the feeling that with the thought of ICL not being their primary concern (which certainly effected the ICl players during the Aus tour), the national players were able to focus solely on the match yesterday.