"I think (Brendon) McCullum's done a good job. Now they have a good bunch which is doing their job together.
"If any side is playing good cricket we have to appreciate that, and try to match them. It raises your standards as well."
And that's the point at which Shehzad turned his attention to Pakistan. They must lift themselves and match New Zealand over the six limmited-overs internationals coming up.
"You have to execute your plans and flourish.
Cricket is moving fast, way too fast. We have a wonderful bunch. This is the best possible unit we have at the moment.
"It's a good combination of seniors and juniors and we're all pumped up and ready to give some entertainment."
Shehzad's talk of the pace of the game is bang on. T20 is the one form of the game where it's tough to overcome a poor start. There simply isn't time, and overs.
New Zealand had cracking starts, with both bat and ball, in the two wins over Sri Lanka. Their confidence is high.
Pakistan will test New Zealand in ways Sri Lanka couldn't. They will have more pace and batsmen who, while erratic, can seriously damage bowling figures.
They've also received a boost with the news yesterday that the gifted Umar Akmal has been released to play the game. He's facing a one-game ban over a clothing violation in the domestic first-class final recently. Akmal is appealing the decision and is free to play.
The young man can bat, but also has a penchant for getting out in daft ways. The good Akmal will be an asset, as will Mohammad Amir, who is making cricket's most talked-about comeback of recent years.
New Zealand are on a roll, Pakistan have lost five of their last six games - the exception a T20 tie with England in Sharjah on November 30. They have had a camp since then as preparation, which all regard as a success.
But camps aren't matchplay. Pakistan might be rusty tonight; equally they rate among international cricket's more dangerous outfits.
The winner tonight keeps alive chances of a 3-0 series sweep, and rising to No 1 in the T20 game. Call that a readymade incentive.
New Zealand v Pakistan, first T20, Eden Park, 7pm tonight
New Zealand: (from) Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Tom Latham, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Mitch McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
Pakistan: (from) Shahid Afridi (c) Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Saad Nasim, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Maqsood, Mohammad Rizwan, Aamer Yamin, Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Amir
