Rawalpindi: Pak vs NZ .In the opening match of the five-match ODI series held at Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan captain Babar Azam made the decision to put New Zealand into bat after winning the toss.
Unfortunately, batsman Haris Sohail, who sustained an injury during a practice session, has been left out of the team.
Babar expressed confidence in the pitch, stating that it would be more favourable for batting later in the day. New Zealand captain Tom Latham supported Pakistan’s choice and mentioned that they would have also chosen to bowl first if they had won the toss.
“Our team’s spirits are high after our victory in the final T20I.”
This ODI series provides both teams with an opportunity to assess each other’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the World Cup scheduled for October-November in India.
Pak vs NZ and Kane Williamson
Despite missing eight players, including Kane Williamson, due to the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) or injuries, the Black Caps surprised the home team by leveling the preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2.
Under the leadership of stand-in captain Latham, New Zealand adapted skillfully to the conditions, making a strong comeback from a 2-0 deficit to win the third and fifth matches. The fourth match was abandoned due to rain.
Middle-order batsman Mark Chapman has been included in the ODI squad after his impressive performance in the T20 series, where he scored 290 runs with just one dismissal, making it the highest individual score in a five-match T20I series.
Additionally, wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell, recently recognized as one of the top five cricketers of the year by Wisden, and middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls further strengthen the New Zealand squad.
Head-to-head, Pakistan has won five out of the seven ODI series under Azam’s captaincy. The two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January of this year.
However, New Zealand has shown recent dominance over Pakistan. Out of the last six ODI series between the two teams, New Zealand has won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.
The remaining matches of the current series will be held in Rawalpindi on Saturday, followed by Karachi on May 3, 5, and 7.
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
New Zealand: Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c & wk), Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner
Shahid Afridi criticize Shaheen Afridi’s performance
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