Is the New Zealand side really underrated when it comes to handling tight situations?

[KP From India]

Nz team often doesnt get the limelight of world cricket.
But, more often than not they hold their nerves better in tight situations.
They dont have big names but every player is there physically and mentally till last ball is bowled.
For ex,
-A quarter final win vs Sa in 2011 WC after posting only 220 and Sa were cruising in chase
-A test match win against australia by 7 runs(Doug Bracewell).
-A strong comeback against India after trailing by plenty, later Macculum scoring 300.
-held their nerves in all imp 2015 WC semifinal vs Sa that could have gone either way.
-Winning todays nailbiter by 4 runs.

 

[Rayyman]

I always see NZ as the opposite of SA.

 

[asadee]

Froze in the 2015 WC final

 

[Rayyman]

Froze in the 2015 WC final

Losing a match doesn't mean you choke lol

 

[asadee]

Losing a match doesn't mean you choke lol

They simply didn't turn up..the occasion got to them

 

[BreadPakoda]

NZ is an okish side, definitely not a top tier team.

But runs against NZ do count.

 

[Rayyman]

They simply didn't turn up..the occasion got to them

The only game they played in Aus. for the whole tournament. Same thing happened to SL in 2011.

 

[asadee]

The only game they played in Aus. for the whole tournament. Same thing happened to SL in 2011.

Good point. I am not a fan of multi country hosts for WCs

 

[Ab Fan]

That 2011 WC quarter final and 2015 WC semis, I still don't understand how NZ ended up winning both knockouts. The way they fluked it twice and twice when mattered is just phenomenal.

 

[Savak]

One thing going for them which does help is that the lack of expectations means much less pressure and they can just go out there without worrying much and just look to give 100% fearlessly.

 

[rhony]

NZ teams always punched above their weight. They have been one of the most consistent teams in World cups. Expect them to fight every game.

 

[giri26]

New Zealand have always been a very good team who play well together and fight hard. They now have a team which has world class players like Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult who would walk into any world Test side. They also have good solid players like Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling. They don't throw in the towel soon and are always difficult to defeat. They will fight hard and Pakistan need to work harder than they did against Australia.