The five-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand begins in Rawalpindi on Thursday, which is crucial for the preparation of the World Cup.
The series gives both sides a chance to get a feel for each other’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the World Cup in India in October-November.
The Black Caps stunned the home side by winning the five-match T20I series 2-2 despite missing eight players, including captain Kane Williamson, through injury in the Indian Premier League.
Led by stand-in captain Tom Latham, New Zealand adapted to the conditions masterfully, coming back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth called off after rain.
Middle-order batsman Mark Chapman has been included in the ODI squad after scoring 290 runs for just one dismissal in the T20 series – the most by a batsman in a five-match T20I series.
Wicket-keeper batsman Tom Blundell, recently named in Wisden’s top five cricketers of the year, and middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls bolster the squad.
“It’s a new format and we have to adapt quickly for this challenging series,” said Latham, whose team is second only to Australia in the ODI rankings.
Pakistan, ranked fifth, will once again pin their hopes on captain Babar Azam, who has been the world’s top-ranked ODI batsman for the past two years.
“These five matches are important for our preparation for the World Cup,” Azam said.
“We have eight ODIs plus the Asia Cup (to prepare for) and we will use them to prepare well.”
Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series captained by Azam. Their two defeats came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.
But New Zealand has a recent dominance over Pakistan.
Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat was against Pakistan at home in 2011.
The other matches of the ongoing series will be played in Rawalpindi on Saturday, followed by Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.
Teams
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Haris, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ehsanullah, Imamul Haq, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi. , Shan Masood, Osama Mir
New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConaughey, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ash Sodhi, Blair Tank, Will Young.
