Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
The current World Cup finalists up against the Champions Trophy winners.
Pakistan’s limited overs tour of New Zealand begins in Wellington, and will be looking to maintain the incredible ODI momentum they built in 2017. Including their magnificent Champions Trophy triumph, Pakistan have won nine straight ODIs. However, six of these nine came against struggling Sri Lanka, so this will be a big test of their ODI credentials. A series win in New Zealand will get the cricket world standing up and thinking that Pakistan can win in foreign conditions such as England and New Zealand, and it’s really time we take them seriously as a top ODI side.
For New Zealand, their current form is pretty decent, too. A series win against West Indies doesn’t say much, but their efforts in their recent limited overs tour of India showed they won’t be pushovers against any team. Their disappointing Champions Trophy campaign forced them to fix their middle order problems, and the move to have Tom Latham in the middle order, to further support the likes of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, has been a good one, despite a relatively quiet series v West Indies. I’m especially looking forward to seeing whether Colin Munro can continue his electrifying form, against what is a superior Pakistan attack.
Key to a New Zealand win
Key to a Pakistan win
Fearless attitude.
It can be very easy for Pakistan to play cautious cricket in foreign conditions, but this can’t be the case. Like in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan need to play confident cricket and back their ability. Their bowlers in particular can help set the tone.
Predicted teams:
Stats & Facts:
- New Zealand have won 11 of their last 12 matches against Pakistan in all formats.
- Pakistan have won nine ODIs in a row.
- Hasan Ali: 26 ODIs, 56 wickets, avg. 19.82
