Cricket World Cup 2023 | Kiwis have followed 2019 script: make a strong start, go on a nosedive  Premium

New Zealand must peak at the right moment to avoid a similar fate as in 2019, when they lost steam after a strong start. They must win their remaining match and hope other results go their way to make the semis.

Peaking at the right moment is a cliche, but is probably the talking point in the New Zealand dugout as the side is on a four-match losing streak after beginning the 2023 World Cup with four consecutive victories.

With eight points, the Kiwis are in fourth place and a semifinal qualification hinges on other results going in their favour.

The dip in form, after starting so well, may worry the side since something similar had transpired in the 2019 World Cup.

In this year’s edition, the Black Caps beat defending champion England convincingly in the opening match.

The side then eased past the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in its next three outings. But they lost steam after going down to host India, Australia and South Africa — teams that are in the top four — on the trot.

However, the match that really wounded the Kiwis was the one against Pakistan as they lost by 21 runs in a rain-curtailed contest. Kane Williamson and Co. would’ve thought it had done enough after amassing 401 runs in 50 overs.

Fakhar Zaman had other ideas and took the Men in Green to 200 for one in 25.3 overs, a total well past the DLS par. With eight points in its kitty, Pakistan kept its hopes of making the semifinals and compounded New Zealand’s mid-tournament woes.