New Zealand vs Pakistan, Match 35
ICC World Cup, 4 November, 2023, 10:30 AM IST, M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru
New Zealand and Pakistan will lock horns against each other in the most crucial match of the ongoing World Cup in India. The match is set to take place at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (November 4). This is only the third game of the tournament at the venue but for the first time, the match will commence at 10:30 AM in Bengaluru in this World Cup.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh result: Highlights, scorecard and man of the match
The result of this match will certainly change things in the race for semifinals. Pakistan, like they always do, have somehow stayed alive and results have gone in their favour. New Zealand, on the other hand, have lost their way completely losing their last three matches to – India, Australia and South Africa – the top three teams in the points table.
The Kiwis are sitting at the fourth position at the moment with four wins from seven matches. They lost to South Africa by a massive margin of 190 runs and that has hurt them in a big way in terms of net run-rate as well. This has suddenly become a must-win encounter for them and even though they don’t get knocked out if they lose this match, net run-rate will come into play in their last group match against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Pakistan started their campaign with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka but lost four on the bounce to – India, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa. However, they returned to winning ways finally against Bangladesh. The team went through a lot with turmoil back home in the Pakistan Cricket Board with their chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq also stepping down, albeit for different reasons.
There were also reports of rift in the team. But a win has certainly brought the hopes back for Babar Azam and his men and if they beat New Zealand, then they will have great chances of making it to the semifinal of the World Cup.
The New Zealand vs Pakistan prediction is not an easy one to make as both teams are in a must-win situation at the moment. A loss will end Pakistan’s hopes completely while New Zealand will stay alive by the scruff of it if they lose this match. We could be in for a thriller in Bengaluru in this game.
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for Pakistan : W-L-L-L-L
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for the New Zealand: L-L-L-W-W
Contents
NZ vs PAK Match Preview
Pakistan
Things are suddenly looking good for Pakistan after their thumping win over Bangladesh. Fakhar Zaman's inclusion at the top has brought the fresh approach while Shafique's consistency amid all the controversy has been admirable.
With the ball, Mohammad Wasim Jr has impressed too and Shaheen Afridi, World No.1 ODI bowler, is back amongst the wickets now. Certainly, unless there are injury issues, Pakistan would be keen on not changing their winning combination for this match. Somehow this also seems to be their best XI at the moment.
With Imam left out, and Fakhar clicking, Pakistan have a set template for this game against the New Zealand attack, that is struggling with injuries.
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Babar Azam
Probable Best Bowler: Shaheen Afridi
Probable Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
New Zealand
New Zealand have certainly been crippled with a lot of injuries at the moment. Their skipper Kane Williamson is still doubtful while Lockie Ferguson and Mark Chapman missed the last game.
To make things worse, Matt Henry too suffered a hamstring injury midway through last game vs South Africa. They clearly have a few things to sort out in order to field a fit playing XI. Their head coach was hopeful of Ferguson and Chapman getting fit in time while Williamson's status is still unknown.
With Henry out of the tournament and Jamieson not available yet, expect New Zealand to use Ish Sodhi as a second spinner alongside Santner.
Probable Best Perfomers
Probable Best Batter: Rachin Ravindra
Probable Best Bowler: Trent Boult
Probable Playing XI: Devon Conway, Will Young/Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (C & WK), Glenn Philips, Mitchell Santner, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Southee/Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi
Imam-ul-Haq centuries in international cricket: ODI, T20I and Tests
Pitch Report and Expected Weather Conditions for NZ vs PAK
The Chinnaswamy stadium has dished out two different kinds of surfaces so far in this World Cup. While the pitch for PAK vs AUS game was absolutely flat, the ENG vs SL pitch had something in it for the slow bowlers. It will be interesting to see which kind of pitch will be on offer for this massive game. The team winning the toss will certainly opt for batting or bowling depending on the nature of the surface.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru ODI Records
Total Matches: 40
Match Won batting first: 15
Match won bowling first: 21
Average 1st innings score: 233
Average 2nd innings score: 216
Expected weather condition: Well!! Rain is set to make things interesting in this World Cup. There is close to 70% chance of rain in Bengaluru on Saturday. There is a lot of rain in the forecast in the lead up to the game as well and things certainly look murky.
#StatChat | After debuting together in the same ODI in Dunedin against Bangladesh in 2021, these three have all become three of fastest players to 1000 ODI runs for the team.
-Devon Conway (22 innings)
-Glenn Turner (24)
–@dazmitchell47 (24)
-Andrew Jones (25)
-Will Young (28) pic.twitter.com/uYnWfFTS7k— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 2, 2023
New Zealand vs Pakistan Dream11 Match Prediction
Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Devon Conway
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Trent Boult, Tim Southee
Recommended Captain: Rachin Ravindra
Recommended Vice-captain: Babar Azam
In the wicketkeepers' category, Rizwan is a must-pick player while the focus shifts to Babar Azam, Devon Conway and Fakhar Zaman when it comes to batters. Among all-rounder's, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are good options to have with all three capable of sending down a lot of overs of spin. Ravindra is a good captaincy option too in Dream11 Fantasy. In the bowlers' category, Shaheen, Boult, Southee, Wasim and Usama Mir are decent and wicket-taking options.
New Zealand vs Pakistan win prediction: Pakistan to win
Pakistan have the winning momentum at the moment with them. On the other hand, New Zealand have been mediocre and even the injury issues have come at the wrong time for them. For this clash, Pakistan are the favourites to win.