Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in Kolkata, finally winning a game after dropping their previous four games. With six points and a net run rate of -0.024, they remain in fifth place in the standings, which has preserved their chances of making the World Cup semi-finals. Pakistan still has two games left, one each against England and New Zealand. Their precise semi-final qualification possibilities are dependent on several factors, but first, they must triumph handily in their next two games. They will next play the Kiwis, who have lost three straight games and are now in decline. Furthermore, in the ODI World Cup, Pakistan has a stellar record against them. The men in green will therefore be fairly optimistic about their chances.
Only a few weeks ago, New Zealand appeared to be the team to beat. They were clicking like a well-oiled machine, having won four straight games. But a devastating 5-run loss against Australia came after a near loss to India. They were destroyed by South Africa in their most recent match, which has now jeopardized their chances of making it to the semifinals.
Pakistan has discovered a new lease on life just when everyone had given up on them. They dominated Bangladesh by seven wickets in their previous match, securing their first victory following four straight defeats.
This World Cup, Rachin Ravindra has been a standout performer for the Kiwis. At an average of 69.16, he has scored 415 runs in 7 innings, placing him among the tournament’s leading scorers. This is a pitch that the left-handed No. 3 hitter will love, therefore success is predicted here. Daryl Mitchell is another player who needs to contribute in this situation (279 runs in 7 innings at 46.50). It will be up to Mitchell and Ravindra to score huge runs since Devon Conway has been utterly out of it for the past few games and Tom Latham is having a terrible campaign. In the game against South Africa, Glenn Phillips had a strong performance and finished with a smooth fifty.
Trent Boult (10 wickets in 7 innings at an average of 33.10) and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (14 wickets in 7 innings at an average of 24.35) have dominated New Zealand’s bowling attack. Not many other people have genuinely volunteered.
New Zealand Squads
New Zealand
Tom Latham (c & wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Matt Henry/Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Will Young/ Kane Williamson, Trent Boult
Pakistan
Playing in his second encounter of the tournament, Fakhar Zaman struck 81 off 74 balls to start the chase and go on to combine with Abdullah Shafique for a match-winning 128 runs. With this performance, Zaman—who came in for Imam-ul-Haq in the starting eleven—has guaranteed that he will play in Pakistan’s next two matches. In the World Cup, Shafique has also been Pakistan’s standout batsman, amassing 332 runs at an average of 55.33 in just six innings. Thus far, Captain Babar Azam has not fired. He is a class hitter, though, and he will be eager to get a solid knock. We believe that he will score some runs in this game.
It looks like Pakistan’s bowling is finally clicking on all cylinders. Shaheen Afridi, who has 16 wickets at an average of 19.93, has already shot to the top of the bowling rankings. This assault has benefited greatly from the addition of Muhammad Wasim Jr., who is getting better every game. Though he has gone for runs, Haris Rauf (12 wickets at an economy of 6.50) has demonstrated his ability to take regular wickets.
Pakistan Squads
Pakistan
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Agha Salman, Usama Mir, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abdullah Shafique, Haris Rauf
At the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, it’s generally thought that batting first is the preferable course of action. The team batting first has the best chance of amassing a sizable score and batting the opposition out of the game because it’s usually a high-scoring environment.
Bengaluru is expected to experience largely cloudy weather, with a few showers and a thunderstorm in the afternoon.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s field is often quite level. After spending some time on the crease, batters may effortlessly hit through the line as the ball comes on well to them.
NZ vs PAKHead-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
New Zealand has won one of the last five One-Day Internationals (ODIs), while Pakistan won four matches.