Pakistan vs New Zealand, PAK vs NZ, Today Match Prediction 09 January 2023

pak vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Monday.

Despite playing on home soil, Pakistan will enter the contest as slight underdogs, largely because of their poor performance in the recently concluded two-match series.

On the other hand, New Zealand will be coming into the series as slight favorites, especially after producing impressive performances in the five-day format.

The contest will be a special one as it will be the first time in more than 19 years that the teams will face off in Pakistan.

Both teams have faced off 107 times in the history of ODI cricket where the Green Caps have a slight edge with 55 wins compared to 48 victories of the Black Caps. One match ended as a tie whereas three fixtures ended without producing a result.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

For this series, the team was announced by an interim selection committee headed by former Pakistan captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

The side featured some new names whereas some key players including the likes of Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have failed to secure their place in the contingent because of different injuries.

The likes of batter Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam and leg-spinner Usama Mir have been included in the squad after their impressive performances in the recently concluded Pakistan Cup.

Another surprising inclusion is the return of left-handed batter Haris Sohail who has not played a 50-over international fixture since October 2020 and therefore, it will be interesting to see whether he will be able to impress in his first outing at that level.

There will be some pressure on the likes of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as well who has recently lost his place in the playing XI in the Test format to Sarfaraz Ahmed.

His fans as well as the team management will be hoping to see the Multan Sultans captain to start delivering with the bat in hand.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of captain Babar Azam, in-form top-order batter Imam-ul-Haq, explosive Fakhar Zaman, Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Rizwan to score the bulk of the runs.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jnr along with the spin duo of Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir to produce timely breakthroughs.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.

New Zealand Preview

In the batting department, the Black Caps will be relying on the likes of captain Kane Williamson, top-order batters Finn Allen, Devon Conway, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, left-handed batter Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips to score the bulk of the runs and put the pressure on the home team.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tim Southee along with the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi to produce timely breakthroughs.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Traditonally, the wicket prepared at Karachi wil be fully of runs for the batsmen. The bowlers will have to execute their lengths well to get wickets on this surface. The weather forecast for the game is expected to be sunny intervals with gentle breeze.

Venue Details

National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi is going to host the 1st ODI game of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Toss: To Bat

Both the teams will be keen to win the toss, bat first and post a competitive total on the board. The home side will take heart from the fact that they have won previous couple of one-day matches played at this venue.