New Zealand vs Pakistan 2015-16, 1st ODI at Wellington, Preview: Confident hosts seek to extend winning momentum against visitors
NZ vs PAK 2015-16, 1st ODI at Wellington, Preview: Confident hosts seek to extend winning momentum against visitors
It won’t take an expert with a great analytical mind to say that New Zealand will go into the first One-Day International (ODI) of the five-match series against Pakistan at Wellington’s Basin Reserve as favourites. New Zealand bossed over their visitors in the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series to win by 2-1 scoreline and they have the pendulum of momentum in their courtyard. They will look to extend Pakistan’s misery when they face off for the series opener and mark their authority in the series. Pakistan are low on confidence after the beatings they have received. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Paksitan 2015-16, 1st ODI at Wellington
While New Zealand are the superior side, especially at home, the difference between the two teams could be easily bridged if Pakistan show a greater sense of application in their on-field dealings. They have to take a feather out of their opponents’ books and strengthen their fielding. Once that happens, a team tends to receive a psychological boost in other departments. ALSO READ: New Zealand announce ODI squad for Pakistan, Australia series
Pakistan will see a change in captaincy and that could also work to their disadvantage as it could be a little bit disorienting to come under Azhar Ali’s reign after having been under Shahid Afridi‘s command. They are both disparate characters and have different ways of leading their teams. Pakistan will have to overcome these hurdles if they are to pose threat to the Black Caps in their backyard. ALSO READ: Corey Anderson’s form on comeback bodes well for New Zealand with ICC World T20 2016 approaching
The New Zealand team will also be under the guard of Kane Williamson in the absence of Brendon McCullum who is still recovering from a minor back injury and is not expected to be fit before the third ODI of the series. However, as displayed in the T20I series and a few ODIs before, New Zealand are an equally impressive side under him. New Zealand are riding on a wave of immense confidence having been in supreme command of cricketing proceedings through course of their home summer. They have beaten Sri Lanka in Tests, followed it up with a spanking in the 50-over series and have gone on to win the T20I series against them before consigning Pakistan to similar fate in T20 format.
In stark contrast, Pakistan have little in terms of confidence as far as the limited-overs game goes. Prior to this T20I series, they had a home (UAE) assignment against England. While they were supremely dominating in the Tests, they were comprehensively outplayed in the limited-overs segments. The challenge that awaits them in New Zealand is far more daunting.
Pakistan will hope for their senior players to step up. Players like Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hafeez, and Ahmed Shehzad will have to step up their game and lend their support to skipper Azhar. The youngsters have a lot of talent and if the seniors can show the way, they will have the platform to step up.
New Zealand look like a well-balanced unit, not very different looking from the one that played the T20I series. The only chink in the whole New Zealand limited-overs team was the misfiring wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi. New Zealand have sought to address that problem by calling up BJ Watling to the side as well. This sounds a stern warning to the 34-year-old Ronchi. Overall, the odds are stacked in New Zealand’s favour but don’t bet your fortunes on them if you are into that kind of practice because if Pakistan settle down and play to their potential, they could start the series with a victory.
Squads:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham (first two ODIs), Brendon McCullum (third ODI), Kane Williamson, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (first ODI), BJ Watling (second and third ODIs), Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan.
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sohaib Maqsood, Zafar Gohar, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Raiz, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Aamer.
Time: 3:0 IST | 11:00 local | 22:00 GMT
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)