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Pakistan vs New Zealand, 5th ODI at Abu Dhabi: Key clashes

A win in the 5th one-dayer will be a great moral boost for the winning side ahead of the World Cup.

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The five-match ODI series has been a well fought out so far © Getty Images
The five-match ODI series has been a well fought out so far © Getty Images

 

Pakistan and New Zealand clash in the fifth One-Day International (ODI) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The five-match series is currently level at 2-2 after the Kiwis won a thriller of a fourth game by a mere seven runs. A win in the fifth and final one-dayer will be a great moral boost for the winning side ahead of the World Cup. Amit Banerjee takes a look at some of the key battles that one can expect between players from either side.

Martin Guptill/Dean Brownlie vs Mohammad Irfan: It has been a seesaw battle between New Zealand openers and Mohammad Irfan, who has been a nemesis for the Kiwi top-order in the series so far. The opening partnership for New Zealand too has been topsy-turvy, with the visitors winning the games in which they have managed to get a good start in their innings. That will make it all the more crucial for the tourists to get a strong opening partnership, while Irfan will come all guns blazing for the final ODI.

Kane Williamson vs Pakistan spinners: Perhaps the most awaited contest in the game. On one-hand, the spinners have been the key wicket-takers for the hosts in the series so far, while Kane Williamson is the best player of spin from the opposition, aside from being one of the most consistent batsmen from the New Zealand ranks. The likes of Haris Sohail, Shahid Afridi have come in handy with both the ball and the bat, and stand-m skipper Afridi might also consider playing an extra spinner in place of Sohail Tanvir, who leaked too many runs in the fourth one-dayer. That could lead to someone like Yasir Shah, who has been the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing series, joining the Pakistani ranks.

Ahmed Shehzad vs Matt Henry: The Pakistani opener has been dismissed thrice in the series so far by the newfound New Zealand pace talent. Much like the other way round, it has been a close battle between the Pakistan top-order and the New Zealand pace attack, with the team getting the early advantage going on to win the match. Both Shehzad and Henry will be crucial to their team’s fortunes in the final ODI, with Shehzad looking to make amends for the blip in performance in the fourth game.

Younis Khan vs Daniel Vettori: Younis is one of the most experienced players in the Pakistan side, and in great form at the moment. Not to mention the fact that he is the best player of spin among the hosts along with the likes of Misbah. His knock of 103, which helped break a lean patch with the bat, in the previous setup a foundation for a Pakistani victory, which the Pakistan middle and lower-order unfortunately could not fulfil. New Zealand veteran spinner Daniel Vettori, on the other hand, managed to make a mark for himself in the penultimate game, where he took three wickets for 53 runs. It remains to be seen if Younis can maintain his new-found form, or whether Vettori can end the series on a high.

(Amit Banerjee, a reporter at CricketCountry, takes keen interest in photography, travelling, technology, automobiles, food and, of course, cricket. He can be followed on Twitter via his handle @akb287)

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