Islamabad, Feb 8: Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand in the opening match of the tri-nation One-Day International (ODI) series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Captain’s Strategy
Pakistan’s skipper, Mohammad Rizwan, emphasized the importance of a solid batting foundation, highlighting the team’s depth in the lineup. On the other hand, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed his team’s intent to strike early and restrict Pakistan to a chaseable total.
Playing XIs
Pakistan’s batting order is led by the explosive Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, followed by Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, and Tayyab Tahir. The bowling unit features pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, alongside the spin expertise of Abrar Ahmed and all-rounder Khushdil Shah.
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New Zealand’s squad is packed with experience, with Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham handling the batting responsibilities. Their bowling attack is led by Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O’Rourke, aiming to put pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan and New Zealand have clashed 116 times in ODIs, with Pakistan securing 61 victories and New Zealand winning 52 matches. One game ended in a tie, while three had no result.
- Total Matches Played: 116
- Pakistan Wins: 61
- New Zealand Wins: 52
- Tied Matches: 1
- No Result: 3
Recent Form
Pakistan enters the series on an impressive winning streak, having clinched victory in their last three ODI series, including significant wins against Australia and South Africa.
New Zealand, meanwhile, comes into the contest after a 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka but has had mixed results in their recent games.
- Pakistan’s Last Five ODIs:
- New Zealand’s Last Five ODIs:
With both teams aiming for a strong start in the tri-nation series, the match promises to be an exciting battle between bat and ball
