While the Blackcaps may be encouraged by their improved bowling and batting during their Twenty20 tri-series, their inexplicably poor fielding has added a sour note to their efforts at Christchurch.
A couple of bumbled catches could be dismissed as merely a bad day out, but the situation has become almost habitual, with several squandered wicket-taking opportunities causing concern before this month's T20 World Cup.
Three more were added to the blooper reel during Wednesday's 48-run win over Bangladesh, including a comical howler that saw four fielders descend on a skied shot during Trent Boult's opening over, only for the ball to drop harmlessly among them to the turf.
After his costly drop of Pakistan dangerman Babar Azam on Saturday, Glenn Phillips - typically one of the Blackcaps' best in the field - shelled another chance in the deep, off the bowling of Michael Bracewell, while Tim Southee put down a straightforward chance at mid-on off Adam Milne.
"Maybe there's a witch out there," Phillips opined. "It's one of those things nobody tries to do anything contrary to being able to do it perfectly, and I guess we are professionals and we try to do our best, no matter what.
"I guess some people out there don't necessarily see it that way - they see it as an easy game and that it's an easy fix, which it isn't. It's the same thing with momentum.
"When you've got the momentum going your way, things like big one-handers will be sticking."
The Blackcaps are traditionally regarded as one of the sharpest fielding sides in world cricket, which makes this series of gaffes all the more headscratching.
"We're just coming at it as hard as possible," Phillips continued. "If we carry on going forward… that will put us in good stead to take those opportunities as the World Cup comes.
"It's not a perfect scenario at the moment, and nobody's trying to drop catches or misfield. All we know is that everyone's trying to put their best effort in and that's all that matters at the moment."
While he may be experiencing a rough patch with his hands in the field, there are no such concerns with Phillips' performance with the bat.
The masterblaster plundered 60 runs off just 24 balls to set the stage for the Blackcaps victory in a man-of-the-match effort, backing up his undefeated 23 off nine to close out Saturday's win against the same opponents.
Both of those knocks came alongside Devon Conway, who has been in sublime form this series. His graceful knock of 64 (40 balls) came after undefeated matchwinning hands of 49 and 70, boding well for the World Cup.
"I'm pretty sure he's always in form," joked Phillips. "He's absolutely brilliant.
"To be able to have his calm-mindedness... he's able to hit all areas of the ground 360 and just plays it with such gracefulness
"To be able to go out there and play with him and build partnerships, we've done it a lot over the past couple of years. It's very familiar territory for me and him to be batting together."
The Blackcaps' attention now turns to the series final against Pakistan on Friday, which Phillips insisted will be a priceless dress rehearsal for performing under pressure, before their title bid across the Tasman.
"I think we've definitely come a little bit further each game, which is all we ask for," he said. "Every series is very much a high-stakes scenario for us.
"It's a proper series, it's a full final and for us to play under the pressure of any final is invaluable experience, especially going towards the World Cup, where things are very higher stakes.
"To have any pressure scenario with the Cup on the line is crucial."
Join us at 3pm Friday for live updates of the T20 tri-series final between Blackcaps and Pakistan
