New Zealand return to Pakistan shores after 18-year hiatus for a three-match ODI and five T20Is series. Tom Latham-led side will be up against Babar Azam-led team in the first of the three One-Day Internationals at the Pindi Cricket Stadium tomorrow.
Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other 19 times in ODIs - in Pakistan - from 1976 and 2003 with Pakistan winning on 16 occasions.
The touring party are without some of their top-flight players that include Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, however, they still have enough firepower to give Pakistan a run for their money.
The New Zealand squad features five players who are part of the squad for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021; they comprise Martin Guptill, Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Todd Astle.
The fact that this series doesn't carry much significance in terms of 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League status, and with the focus on the T20 World Cup, is going to give more freedom to the tourists to express themselves fully on the field and go with nothing to lose mindset.
On the other hand, the onus will be on Pakistan to clinch the series because not only they will be playing in front of the home crowd but they have a full-strength side.
Pakistan is undergoing a transition phase after the resignations of former head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis. In fact, the entire PCB is going through overhauling with Ramiz Raja taking over as the new chairman.
Babar Azam's side looked out of sorts against England of late and they would be eager to turn the tables in their favour and jump a spot in ICC rankings.
With World Cup only a month away, teams are relying more on spinners and Babar Azam suggested playing even three spinners which could bring in Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Zahid Mehmood all in contention for cementing their place in the side.
Quotes
"Finally, the day has arrived and our entire camp is very excited to play New Zealand at home. We have practiced hard for this series and I am sure we will take full advantage of our home conditions," said Babar Azam.
"From our point of view, we expect Pakistan to be at their best, we know they are a quality side. They’ve got match-winners throughout their line-up whether it’s from a bowling or batting point of view," said Tom Latham.
Pakistan Squad for ODIs:
Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other 19 times in ODIs - in Pakistan - from 1976 and 2003 with Pakistan winning on 16 occasions.
The touring party are without some of their top-flight players that include Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, however, they still have enough firepower to give Pakistan a run for their money.
The New Zealand squad features five players who are part of the squad for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021; they comprise Martin Guptill, Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Todd Astle.
The fact that this series doesn't carry much significance in terms of 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League status, and with the focus on the T20 World Cup, is going to give more freedom to the tourists to express themselves fully on the field and go with nothing to lose mindset.
On the other hand, the onus will be on Pakistan to clinch the series because not only they will be playing in front of the home crowd but they have a full-strength side.
Pakistan is undergoing a transition phase after the resignations of former head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis. In fact, the entire PCB is going through overhauling with Ramiz Raja taking over as the new chairman.
Babar Azam's side looked out of sorts against England of late and they would be eager to turn the tables in their favour and jump a spot in ICC rankings.
With World Cup only a month away, teams are relying more on spinners and Babar Azam suggested playing even three spinners which could bring in Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Zahid Mehmood all in contention for cementing their place in the side.
Quotes
"Finally, the day has arrived and our entire camp is very excited to play New Zealand at home. We have practiced hard for this series and I am sure we will take full advantage of our home conditions," said Babar Azam.
"From our point of view, we expect Pakistan to be at their best, we know they are a quality side. They’ve got match-winners throughout their line-up whether it’s from a bowling or batting point of view," said Tom Latham.
Pakistan Squad for ODIs:
Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Arshad Iqbal, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, and Usman Qadir.
New Zealand squad for ODIs:
Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
