The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand will get underway on 17 September, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. New Zealand last played a game in Pakistan back in December 2003.
New Zealand, currently top-ranked ODI side, will miss the services of Kane Williamson, or Kyle Jamieson or Trent Boult, who are off to the UAE for the remainder of the IPL 2021. They were handed another blow after Tom Blundell’s injury. Blundell has been ruled out of the series after suffering a quad strain. Finn Allen is likely to make his ODI debut in Blundell’s absence.
Stand-in captain Tom Latham will be heavily reliant on their three primary spinners Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie and Ajaz Patel. Will Young will bat at No. 3, followed by Latham, Henry Nicholls and Colin de Grandhomme. Among the bowlers, Matt Henry will lead the pace attack, with Scott Kuggeleijn and Jacob Duffy.
Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan are well ahead on paper before heading to this fixture, considering their full-strength squad available. This will be the first match for them after Ramiz Raja’s appointment as the PCB chairman. Mohammad Rizwan, who has been in excellent form throughout this year, will be in focus again.
The series will not be part of the ODI Super League after the PCB failed to secure the services of Decision Review System setup.
Betway Fantasy Tips
– Bet on Pakistan. Appoint Iftikhar Ahmed as captain. He can produce good value with both bat and ball.
– Rizwan can be a safe vice-captain option. Include Latham as well among wicket-takers.
– Babar, Allen, Imam-ul-Haq and Nicholls are highly dependable batters.
– Do not ignore Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi. They are handy wicket-taking options.
Probable XIs
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakil, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Usman Qadir.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c and wk), Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie.
Prediction
Pakistan should win this match.
Blitzpools Fantasy Team
Iftikhar Ahmed (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Tom Latham, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Finn Allen, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Matt Henry.
