Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction and Preview: The highly anticipated 1st ODI match between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on April 27, 2023, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams are coming off a T20I series that ended in a draw, and this ODI series is expected to be just as exciting, if not more.
New Zealand, who are without many of their star players including captain Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Finn Allen, and Devon Conway and will be looking to make the most of this opportunity to prepare themselves for the world cup.
Pakistan has named a full-strength squad, with seamer and spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi coming back into the ODI squad. The team has a formidable batting lineup, with the likes of Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan. They also have a strong bowling attack, led by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who are both in excellent form.
Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction PAK vs NZ 2023
New Zealand, although missing some key players, still has a solid team with experienced players like Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham. Mark Chapman, who finished as the leading run-scorer of the T20I series and also scored a sensational century in the fifth and final match, is expected to be their key player in this ODI series.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is known for its batter-friendly surface, and anything above 320 runs is considered to be a good score. The team that wins the toss is likely to bowl first, as the pitch tends to slow down as the game progresses.
The probable playing XIs for the Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI match are eagerly anticipated by fans and experts alike. Both teams have a mix of experienced players and talented youngsters who will be vying for a spot in the starting lineup.
For Pakistan, the opening pair is expected to be Shan Masood and Fakhar Zaman. Babar Azam, the captain of the team, will bat at the crucial number three position, followed by wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan. Haris Sohail, Agha Salman, and Shadab Khan are expected to occupy the middle order, providing stability to the team’s batting lineup.
In the bowling department, Pakistan is likely to field a strong pace attack comprising of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. The spin bowling duties will be handled by all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.
Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction PAK vs NZ 2023
On the other hand, New Zealand is expected to open the innings with Chad Bowes and Will Young. Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Tom Latham will be the key batsmen in the middle order, while all-rounders Henry Nicholls or Tom Blundell, Jimmy Neesham, and Matt Henry will provide balance to the team’s lineup.
The Kiwis’ spin bowling responsibilities will be shouldered by Ish Sodhi, while the fast bowling duties will be taken care of by Adam Milne, Ben Lister, and Matt Henry.
Overall, both teams have a well-balanced squad, and it will be interesting to see which combination of players they choose for the all-important 1st ODI match.
When it comes to the probable best performers, Mark Chapman is expected to be New Zealand’s key player, given his terrific form. Meanwhile, Haris Rauf is expected to be Pakistan’s top bowler, as he finished as the leading wicket-taker of the T20I series.
Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction PAK vs NZ 2023
Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction:
In terms of the match prediction, Pakistan is the favorite to win this match, given their strong team and home advantage. However, with both teams being evenly matched and the unpredictable nature of cricket, anything can happen on the day. Fans of both teams can look forward to an exciting and closely contested match, full of thrilling moments and memorable performances.
