New Zealand will face Pakistan in the first match of the doubleheader to be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 4th November 2023. It promises to be an exciting encounter as Pakistan would be hoping to register a victory by 83 runs or chase down the target in 35 overs.
New Zealand lost their previous match against South Africa by 190 runs which impacted their net run rate. They need to win this encounter for qualifying into the semi-final stage.
Both teams have matchwinners that has the ability to change the course of the game with their abilities. It promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Look Out For Between New Zealand and Pakistan in WC 2023
- Devon Conway
The stylish left-handed batter Devon Conway fell cheaply in the previous match against South Africa. He would be looking to play attacking cricket in the first 10 overs laying a strong foundation for New Zealand to win the match against Pakistan.
He would be eager to regain his old form and make sure that New Zealand returns to winning ways after losing the last 3 matches. Conway has a decent record against Pak in the ODI format with 153 runs from 3 matches including the best score of 101 including 1 century and 1 half-century.
Conway will look to put pressure on the Pakistan bowling and help New Zealand register their 5th victory in the tournament.
- Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman returned to the playing XI replacing Imam UL Haq against Bangladesh. He looked in great touch putting pressure on the bowling chasing down a modest target of 205.
He put the Bangladesh bowlers under immense pressure hitting boundaries and sixes at will. Fakhar was eventually dismissed for 81 laying a strong foundation for a big win. Fakhar has a superb record against NZ in the ODI format with 833 runs from 16 matches (16 innings) including 3 centuries and 5 half-centuries with the best score of 180 not out.
Fakhar Zaman was dismissed cheaply in the 2019 World Cup match against New Zealand. It will be interesting to see if Fakhar could put on an excellent display of batting.
He would be eager to provide another positive start along with Abdullah Shafique laying a strong foundation for the win and stay alive in the competition.
- Trent Boult
Trent Boult bowled with great control as the other New Zealand went to the cleaners by South African batters. Boult took the early wicket of Temba Bavuma. Quinton de Kock was given a reprieve on his bowling that resulted in South Africa posting a massive total.
Boult has been a threat to Pakistan’s batting lineup with 23 wickets from 12 matches at an economy of 5.35 runs per over including best figures of 5 for 17. He would be eager to provide an early wicket in the first 10 overs making sure that they don’t allow Pakistan to post or chase down the target in the allocated time.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi was at his lethal during the previous match against Bangladesh. He dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hasan Shanto in the first over. He then produced a beauty to get rid of Mahmudullah.
The main challenge for Shaheen Shah Afridi is to dismiss Conway, Will Young which would put pressure on the Kiwi batting lineup. He has a great record against NZ in ODI format with 20 wickets from 8 matches at an economy of 4.95 runs per over and best figures of 4 for 35.
He was the pick of bowlers in the previous World Cup match during the 2019 edition. Shaheen ended with figures of 3 for 28 from 10 overs restricting New Zealand to modest total.
Shaheen would be hoping to pick early wickets in the first 10 overs putting pressure on the Kiwi batting lineup.
- Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell has been in sensational form during this World Cup for New Zealand. Coming at number 4, Mitchell looked brilliant against pacers and spinners not allowing them to settle keeping the momentum going for New Zealand.
Mitchell has a decent record against Pak in the ODI format with 369 runs from 7 matches ( 7 innings) including the best score of 129 with 2 centuries to his name. He failed to contribute many runs in the previous match against South Africa.
Mitchell would be hoping to showcase his batting abilities and make sure that New Zealand post or chase down the target against good-quality Pakistan pace bowling.
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