NEW ZEALAND TOUR OF PAKISTAN, 2022-23
New Zealand are the top-ranked ODI team. © AFP
New Zealand, the top-ranked ODI team, will look to hit the ground running as they begin their preparation for the 50-over World Cup in India with a string of 50-over assignments in the sub-continent. A three-match ODI series against Pakistan will be followed by white-ball games against India, which will give New Zealand enough opportunity to tune themselves to the conditions that they will mostly get during the World Cup later this year.
Barring a loss to Australia, New Zealand haven’t lost a single ODI series since January 2021, collecting as many as six series wins. But none of these victories have come in Asia, with New Zealand having last visited the continent for an ODI series way back in 2018 when they drew the 50-over series 1-1 against Pakistan in the UAE. This will be their first ODI series in Pakistan since December 2003.
The hosts, meanwhile, haven’t played an ODI series for close to five months whereas New Zealand played at home against India a couple of months back. Pakistan’s last series was against the Netherlands in August, with Babar Azam’s team beating the hosts 3-0. They will be hoping there is no rustiness as they shift from the five-day format to 50-over cricket.
Pakistan too have a good record since January 2021, having only lost a series to England while winning the other four series they played. They will also reflect on their excellent home record since 2015, with Pakistan remaining undefeated in each of the five series they have played at home since then. Their last series at home was against the West Indies in June 2022, with the hosts winning 3-0, while they had defeated Australia 2-1 before that.
When: Monday, January 9 at 2:30 PM Local Time
Where: National Stadium, Karachi
What to expect: The last ODI games to be played in Karachi were Pakistan’s matches against Sri Lanka in September-October 2019. Pakistan had defended 305 in one of the matches and chased down a target of 298. There were several 300-plus totals scored during the Pakistan Cup – the domestic List A competition – held recently, with 350 being crossed four times and the highest being 387. Batters can expect conditions favouring them in the upcoming series as well. A pleasant weather, with a high of 27 degree Celsius, is forecast.
Team news:
Pakistan: Shan Masood and Haris Sohail have earned ODI recalls while the Shahid Afridi-led selection panel also included uncapped batters Tayyab Tahir and Kamran Ghulam, and wrist spinner Usama Mir in the 16-member squad.
Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir
New Zealand: Matt Henry has been ruled out of the ODI series against Pakistan and India with an abdominal strain. Jacob Duffy could be a contender to replace him should New Zealand seek a replacement. Earlier this month, Adam Milne had also pulled out of the ODIs citing lack of preparation, and was replaced by Blair Tickner. Meanwhile, uncapped all-rounder Henry Shipley is likely to make his debut.
Squad:Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
© Cricbuzz
