Pakistan vs New Zealand 2015-16, 3rd ODI at Auckland: Visitors’ likely XI

Pakistan seek greater stability in the side as they take on New Zealand in the final fixture at Auckland.

The ongoing three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between New Zealand and Pakistan reaches its climax, with the final game set to be played at the Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday. After surrendering the Twenty20 International (T20I) series 1-2, Pakistan trail in the current series to the rampaging hosts by a 0-1 margin, with the second game washed out due to rain. The visitors will look to end their campaign in the country on a positive note with a series-levelling victory that will help boost their morale ahead of the tougher contests that lie on the road ahead in the form of the Asia Cup and the ICC World T20 2016, which are to be hosted by Bangladesh and India respectively. Amit Banerjee takes a look at the likely team that Pakistan are to field in the upcoming fixture, with the players grouped according to the batting order. FULL SCORECARD: Pakistan vs New Zealand 2015-16, 3rd ODI at Auckland

Top-order (1-3): Pakistan are likely to retain the opening combination of skipper Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad, with Mohammad Hafeez coming in at No. 3. While Azhar has been in a good run of form of late, especially in Pakistani domestic cricket, Shehzad has been a primary source of concern with his string of poor scores in the tour so far. This may very well be among his last chances to retain his position at the top of the order, lest the national selectors be forced to field an alternative in the ICC World T20.

Hafeez, on the other hand, has been in a good nick in the tour so far, having scored a energetic 42 in the previous game, and will have another important role to play should he have to arrive at the crease earlier than expected. ALSO READ: Pakistan vs New Zealand 2015-16, 2nd ODI at Napier abandoned due to rain

Middle-order (4-7): Babar Azam helped bring Pakistan back into the game in the first ODI with a 76-ball 62 that helped form a vital 81-run stand for the third wicket. Azam, who has been consistent with the bat in recent times for Pakistan, Pakistan A as well as his domestic side, is likely to come in at No. 4 and build the innings along with Hafeez. Shoaib Malik was ruled out of the first ODI due to a foot injury, but it remains to be seen if he is declared fit for the game or not.

In case he doesn’t, Sohaib Maqsood will probably retain his spot in the playing XI, even though he has been lean with the bat for quite some time now. In any case, first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed will have a crucial role with the bat in the middle-order. Imad Wasim has barely produced anything substantial so far in the series, so it may not come as a surprise if left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar is finally given his big break in this series. ALSO READ: Waqar Younis harbours no intention to resign as Pakistan coach

Lower-order/Bowling attack (8-11): Mohammad Aamer’s super spell in the first ODI makes him one of the key pacers in the Pakistani attack ahead of the series finale at Auckland. Mohammad Irfan and Anwar Ali too, were among the wicket-takers, with the latter also getting hammered by the likes of Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan (who incidentally was injured on the left eye by a vicious bouncer from Ali). Wahab Riaz went wicketless in the previous game, while leaking too many runs at the same time, and the crucial upcoming match will be an ideal platform for him to return to form ahead of the more important tours that are to take place in the coming months.

Pakistan likely XI: Azhar Ali (c), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik/Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Zafar Gohar, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Irfan.

(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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