Your submission has been sent upstairs! Awaiting the third umpire’s call.
Enjoy the game!
Commentary
This match has not started yet, stay tuned for live updates!
The white ball remains, and the coloured kits also stay on. But the number of overs have been bumped up as the one-dayers swing into town. Most recently, the two teams squared off in a five-match T20I series, and let's say it wasn't quite the close series expected before Pakistan landed on Kiwi shores. The ODI series could be a good chance for the Men in Green to flex their muscles and make a statement that they aren't here to merely participate but to win as well.
And the 50-over format has off late been a bit kind to them, though not too kind. They have had the men for it, got results in three different countries, and were one of the favourites entering into the Champions Trophy heading in with red-hot form. However, things went from bad to worse to ugly. Pakistan lost a home tri-series, lost to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener, and then went to Dubai and lost to India, which effectively ended their campaign. What truly was an insult to injury for them was that the very tournament they were hosting saw their last game being washed out due to rain.
As for New Zealand, it has been quite a ride in this format, where they have been one of the most successful teams in recent times. They played 10 ODI games this year and have lost only three of them, with the most recent loss being the one they wished they could have changed the outcome of. In preparation for the Champions Trophy, they played Sri Lanka at home and clinched the ODIs 2-1. They then went to Pakistan, sealed the tri-series and almost won the Champions Trophy, until they were beaten by India in the final.
It is a new day and a new dawn for both teams and a chance to turn things around. For Pakistan, it will be to forget what has happened and start afresh, and for New Zealand, it will be to stretch their domination and ensure that they can end their home summer on a high. The Kiwis will be heartbroken to have missed out on a piece of silverware, but they are known to be fighters in the world of cricket and to bounce back from lows.
The Kiwis, just like in the T20I series, have taken a little shot to their foot, with Tom Latham, who was supposed to captain in this series, out with a broken hand. In his absence, Michael Bracewell will lead the side yet again. Henry Nicholls, who has been drafted into the squad as Latham's replacement, will be expected to bat at the top of the order alongside Will Young. We could see Mark Chapman reprise his role from the T20I series, batting at number three, with Daryl Mitchell expected to bat at four.
Mitchell Hay and Bracewell will form a key portion of the middle order in the absence of Glenn Phillips and will be expected to go after the bowlers to provide that final thrust. One of Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas could be in line for a debut to round off the batting lineup. Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke, and Ben Sears will be the three seamers to go to for New Zealand even as Nathan Smith will be keen to turn around his disappointing Champions Trophy final outing should he get a go. Highly-rated leggie Adithya Ashok could be Bracewell's partner when it comes to bowling spin.
Pakistan have some of their biggest stars returning to play ODI cricket before the PSL gets underway back home. Babar Azam and skipper Muhammad Rizwan are back in the fray while Naseem Shah is also a part of the mix in the bowling department. Shaheen Afridi, however, has been given a rest from this series.
With Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub still recovering from injury, Abdullah Shafique has earned a recall and could slot in up top alongside Imam-ul-Haq. This could see Babar move back to his preferred number three spot, followed by Rizwan.
Thereafter, the middle-order sees Khushdil Shah, who was one of the few positives for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, and Agha Salman slot in while Irfan Khan is likely to round off the batting order. The troika have been around all tour and will be expected to put up a fist of things although the top-order would do well to ensure that their life is a lot easier.
Naseem will lead a young pace attack with Haris Rauf a belated inclusion having initially been left out. Mohammad Wasim could be a handful on these surfaces, considering that bowlers are able to move the ball off the deck in this part of the world while Mohammad Ali and left-armer Akif Javed will be awaiting their turn as well. Abrar Ahmed brings variety and some mystery to the attack although how the fifth bowler's quota is handled by Rizwan could be decisive.
Both teams have seen a lot of each other in recent times and while New Zealand don't have all their first choice stars to choose from, Pakistan trail 0-3 against them in ODIs this year. Starting this game, their fortunes could either see a big turnaround, or they could sink into further trouble. Can they put up a fight and make a statement though? It should be interesting to watch over the next few games! New Zealand Probable XI: Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Adithya Ashok, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O'Rourke Pakistan Probable XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Agha Salman, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
;'/></svg>){kind=small}
Your submission has been sent upstairs!
This match has not started yet, stay tuned for live updates!
Video
;'/></svg>)
McLean Park, Napier
