Big image: Pakistan, NZ construct for ODI World Cup
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Very little appears to journey on the ODI sequence nowadays, one thing very true for this three-match rubber between Pakistan and New Zealand. Both sides have certified for the World Cup later this 12 months, and internet hosting the restricted-overs matches because the dessert somewhat than hors d’oeuvre makes it really feel insubstantial.
That is very true of Pakistan, who will finish a tough house season with these three video games – one which has been dominated by purple-ball woes. They final performed ODI cricket in Rotterdam, of all locations, a 3-match sequence in opposition to Netherlands in August. It’s the format they’ve carried out most constantly in during the last 12 months, successful eight out of nine matches, although a patchwork of video games thrown in each few months makes it tough to work out any kind of sample. With this being a World Cup 12 months, although, anticipate the format to tackle better relevance in the following 9 months or so.
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New Zealand’s ODI report is equally impregnable, although their video games too have been dotted concerning the calendar at odd intervals. Softer opposition in this era has probably helped that report, with 9 of New Zealand’s ten wins coming in opposition to the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies. A 3-0 reversal in a sequence in opposition to Australia offered a actuality verify, although they did bounce again with a win over India, and would have most certainly made it two wins had rain not intervened.
They head to India for a white-ball sequence following this one, which implies they’ll draw a contact extra context out of this sequence than Pakistan. That is especially true in a 12 months the place the World Cup might be held in India, so a dry run to the subcontinent in January may serve them somewhat properly when October comes round.
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Form information
Pakistan: WWWWW (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first) New Zealand: WLLLW
In the spotlight: Haris Sohail and Henry Shipley
Haris Sohail last played an ODI in October 2020, and on the face of it, his recall wasn’t an obvious choice. Pakistan have won most of their ODIs over the past year, and Sohail doesn’t provide the firepower they require in the middle order towards the end of the innings. With Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq tending to take the game deep, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz have fulfilled that role of late. A total of 129 runs in four matches in the recently concluded Pakistan Cup does not stand out as an obvious marker demanding a call-up. But Sohail does have international experience and pedigree, and if he can beef up a middle order that has at times looked porous in comparison to the top three, he might be able to bring in something Pakistan actually need in the ODI side.
Henry Shipley is tall, and can move the ball. That isn’t the start of a nursery rhyme as much as it is an open invitation to compare a New Zealand fast bowler to Kyle Jamieson. The Canterbury bowling allrounder has been called up to the white-ball squads for the ODIs in Pakistan and India. The nearly two-metre tall fast bowler will be relied upon to extract bounce from what are expected to be flat surfaces in Karachi, but don’t expect him to just be used as a middle-overs enforcer. He has at times taken the new ball for Canterbury, and managed to get swing and seam. Even if there’s likely going to be less of that in the south of Pakistan than on the South Island of New Zealand, he brings something to the visitors’ that Pakistan are unlikely to be familiar with.
Pitch and conditions
A fresh pitch is expected for the first ODI. It’s expected to be comfortable and sunny, a high of 19 degrees Celsius. No rain is expected.
Team news: Masood is Pakistan’s new vice-captain
Pakistan have a new vice-captain in Shan Masood, which likely brings him into the XI as a middle-order batter. Haris, too, is expected to feature in the team.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Shan Masood/Mohammad Nawaz, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Usama Mir, 9 Mohammad Wasim, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Naseem Shah.
Doug Bracewell has been named as Matt Henry replacement for the ODIs in Pakistan and India, but he won’t be available for Monday’s game. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed that Bracewell would arrive in Karachi on Wednesday.
New Zealand: (probable): 1 Finn Allen, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 8 Michael Bracewell, 8 Ish Sodhi 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson 11 Henry Shipley
Stats and trivia
Since Imam-ul-Haq made his ODI debut, solely Rohit Sharma (15) has scored extra ODI centuries than his 11.
Pakistan have gained their final two ODIs in opposition to New Zealand. However, New Zealand triumphed in every of the previous 12 matches, the longest profitable streak by both facet over the opposite.
Quotes
“It’s the first series of the year and we want to start well. New Zealand is one of the best sides in the world and have a good mix of senior and junior players. These matches will be good.” Pakistan captain Babar Azam is anticipating a tough-fought sequence
“We’ll have to assess the conditions in front of us. It’s the first time playing ODI cricket here for all of us. It’s a tough challenge against a very strong Pakistan side.” Kane Williamson acknowledges the novelty of this problem for a facet taking part in in unfamiliar situations
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
