Pakistan and New Zealand contest a five-match one-day collection beginning on Thursday in Rawalpindi which serves as essential build-up to the World Cup.
The collection gives each side the chance to really feel out one another’s strengths and weaknesses forward of the World Cup in India in October-November.
The Black Caps shocked the house facet by squaring a previous five-match Twenty20 collection 2-2 regardless of lacking eight gamers — together with skipper Kane Williamson — as a result of ongoing Indian Premier League or damage.
Under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, New Zealand tailored to the circumstances skillfully, roaring again from 2-0 all the way down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth deserted after rain.
Middle-order batter Mark Chapman has been added to the ODI squad after blazing 290 for only one dismissal within the T20 collection — essentially the most runs by a batter in a five-match T20I collection.
Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell, just lately included within the 5 finest cricketers of the 12 months by Wisden, and middle-order batter Henry Nicholls additional bolster the squad.
“It’s a new format and we have to adapt quickly for this challenging series,” mentioned Latham, whose group are second behind Australia within the ODI rankings.
Pakistan, who’re fifth, will once more pin their hopes on skipper Babar Azam, the world’s top-ranked ODI batter for the final two years.
“These five matches are crucial for our World Cup preparation,” mentioned Azam.
“We have eight ODIs plus the Asia Cup (to get ready) and we will be utilising them to be well prepared.”
Pakistan have gained 5 of the seven ODI collection that Azam has captained. His two losses got here towards England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this 12 months.
Also Read | Sunil Gavaskar: Let’s have a fair contest between bat and ball
But New Zealand boast current dominance over Pakistan.
Of the final six ODI collection between them, New Zealand have gained 5 and drawn one. Their final collection defeat towards Pakistan was at dwelling in 2011.
The different matches of the present collection are in Rawalpindi on Saturday adopted by Karachi on May 3, 5 and seven.
Teams:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usama Mir
New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com