Pakistan and New Zealand contest a five-match one-day series starting on Thursday in Rawalpindi which serves as a crucial build-up to the World Cup. The series offers both sides the opportunity to feel out each other’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the World Cup in India in October-November. The Black Caps shocked the home side by squaring the preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 despite missing eight players — including the skipper Kane Williamson — due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury.
Under stand-in skipper Tom LathamNew Zealand adapted to the conditions skillfully, roaring back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth abandoned after rain.
Middle-order batter Mark Chapman has been added to the ODI squad after blazing 290 for just one dismissal in the T20 series — the most runs by a batsman in a five-match T20I series.
wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundellrecently included in the five best cricketers of the year by Wisden, and middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls further bolster the squad.
“It’s a new format and we have to adapt quickly for this challenging series,” said Latham, whose team are second behind Australia in the ODI rankings.
Pakistan, who are fifth, will again pin their hopes on the skipper. Babar Azamthe world’s top-ranked ODI batsman for the last two years.
“These five matches are crucial for our World Cup preparation,” said Azam.
“We have eight ODIs plus the Asia Cup (to get ready) and we will be utilizing them to be well prepared.”
Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series that Azam has captained. His two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.
But New Zealand boasts recent dominance over Pakistan.
Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.
The other matches of the current series are in Rawalpindi on Saturday followed by Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), shadab khan, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Mohd Haris, Haris Rauf, Haris SohailIhsanullah, Imam-ul-HaqMohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem ShahAgha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Osama Mir
New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, matt henryBen Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl MitchellJimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young,
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