Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Image credit:  AFP

Preview co-written by @AbduShakoorcric

The build up to the first ODI had fans, like myself, scratching their heads at the disparity between Pakistan’s ODI and T20I form. After all, it is the same clothing, same conditions and same coloured ball, but Pakistan just can’t seem to crack the longer of the shorter formats.

It is amazing how things can change in the matter of just three days. Pakistan were coming off a convincing 3-0 T20I series sweep against almost the same personnel. Incredibly, very similar events happened also in New Zealand earlier this year, where Pakistan were whitewashed in the ODIs, but came back to win the T20I series. The men in green have now lost their last 12 ODIs against New Zealand, and in what is perhaps more worrying, their wins in 2018 have come against Zimbabwe, Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

Can the Black Caps beat Pakistan again and seal the series?

One thing that Pakistan have somehow carried from the T20Is to the ODIs is the characteristic collapse throughout a batting innings. However, in the first ODI, it was at the top, mirroring Australia in their terrible start against South Africa to be 8/3. In a chase of 267, courtesy of some poor death bowling, Pakistan were out of the game before they could blink an eye. Fakhar Zaman’s poor run in the desert continued, and Pakistan need more from him and the top order to level the series.

Only analysing Pakistan, though, is a discredit to New Zealand, who deserve praise and recognition for their effort on Wednesday. After the birth of his child, Trent Boult returned with a bang, showcasing an amazing exhibition of new-ball bowling. Boult followed up the efforts of Ish Sodhi, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor, who became centre of attention for Sarfraz Ahmed and Pakistan fans, after gesturing that Mohammad Hafeez was throwing. Controversy aside, can New Zealand continue their excellent run against Pakistan?

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Key to a Pakistan win

Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign began with hope, given they were at their adopted home, with a seemingly in form batting line up. Since then, however, their batting has failed to impress, huffing and puffing their way to below par totals.

Babar Azam’s ODI record in the UAE is something to behold, and he is an important cog at the top of the order for Pakistan. Their collapse in the first ODI has placed more pressure on the top order to perform here, given the men in green have to settle on a line up with the World Cup approaching. Also, Mohammad Hafeez has to raise his ODI game too to meet the standards, along with Fakhar Zaman, who is having a poor time of things in limited overs cricket in the UAE.

On the bowling front, Pakistan could have perhaps been more ruthless in the middle overs. In the first ODI, New Zealand slipped to 78/3 with the fall of Kane Williamson, but Pakistan could not capitalise. However, Shaheen Afridi continues to impress, showing excellence with new ball as well as old. He holds the key to a provide breakthroughs at the top, as well as throughout the innings, along with Junaid Khan who will want a better outing this time, after a fine return against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.

Key to a New Zealand win

Colin Munro hasn’t quite cracked the ODI format, and New Zealand will be hoping he can fire today. If Munro gets going the way we know he can, New Zealand have the perfect foils in Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham to give New Zealand an extremely strong platform. Attention, as always, will particularly be on the classy Kane Williamson, who wouldn’t have believed he got out to a rank half tracker on Wednesday.

Also, how will Ross Taylor back up from his fine innings, as well as his self-inflicted controversy? Will he maintain strong focus against a Pakistan side now keen to get the best of him? Along with Williamson and Taylor, Tom Latham, who has also been playing spin beautifully to balance the innings, makes up a New Zealand top five that can give Pakistan further headaches. Then, Colin de Grandhomme has the potential to hurt the opposition with a strong cameo late in the innings. A cohesive batting display is of significant importance in New Zealand’s quest for a series win.

On the bowling front, New Zealand bowling was significantly strengthened by the presence of Boult and he proved why he is such a good ODI bowler. Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Colin de Grandhomme backed Boult up well, bowling excellently to combine for 6/107 in 28.2 overs. Can the seamers cause damage again, with a slightly better outing for Ish Sodhi? If so, Pakistan will be in for another tough time with the bat.

Possible XIs

Pakistan possible XI: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman/Haris Sohail, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Shoaib Malik, 5. Mohammad Hafeez, 6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), 7. Faheem Ashraf, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Imad Wasim, 10. Shaheen Afridi, 11. Junaid Khan

Todd Astle has flown back home for treatment on his knee. But, New Zealand would have probably stuck with the same side anyway.

New Zealand possible XI: 1. George Worker, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Henry Nicholls, 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Tim Southee, 9. Ish Sodhi, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Trent Boult

Dream11

• Tom Latham is a superb player of spin, and will be key again.

Stats and Facts

• Pakistan have lost 12 straight ODIs against New Zealand.

• Hasan Ali has an average of 48.8 in last five ODIs (in bowling of course).

• Sarfraz Ahmed is 120 short of 2,000 runs in ODIs.