Waqar: We won’t win the World Cup like this
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis was disappointed with his side's fielding and batting against the short ball against New Zealand, saying such efforts would not help them when the World Cup rolls around.
Pakistan lost the fifth ODI by 68 runs on Friday, thus losing the series 3-2 after being ahead twice. They were all out for 207, and were poor against the short-pitched bowling that will come at them in February in the same conditions.
Waqar said: "We need to improve our fielding. It is not up to the mark and [we] must improve a lot. We also need to work hard on short balls as we have to go to Australia and both these things need to be spot on if you want to compete in the World Cup.
"We did achieve what we needed but not 100%. Now we have a one-day cup back home and hope that things will be clearer after that."
Meanwhile, New Zealand stand-in skipper Kane Williamson was thrilled with the series win, especially as they had to come from behind twice to take the series to a decider, and doing it without their best bowlers.
The young all-rounder said: "There is still time for the World Cup, it's good it will be in our conditions and this series win is a big achievement.
"We learned from our mistakes, beat a strong Pakistan side and have shown improvement. In a series that went up and down, it was fantastic to learn from the Pakistan side and to win in such an evenly-fought series has been great.
"It was important to keep adapting our plans, the personnel changed quite a lot, we had a lot of injuries. It has been a great series, an emotional series for many reasons and both teams put on some fantastic cricket."
Latest
-
NewsBen Foakes replaced by Sam Billings at Headingley after positive Covid-19 test
Foakes did not take the field on the third afternoon against New Zealand after complaining of back pain.
-
EnglandJamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster England Test debut
The pace bowler fell three runs short of a remarkable century at Headingley.
-
EnglandEngland have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
The tourists will resume on Sunday 137 runs ahead with five wickets down.
-
EnglandJamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.
-
EnglandAzeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End
-
EnglandJamie Overton falls just short of debut Test century as England take narrow lead
Newcomer Overton was caught behind for 97.
-
EnglandGeorge Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
EnglandEngland top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.