Tonight at 1:00 GMT
Good luck pak for WC warmup match
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
Teams gear up for final WC prep
http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/184300/184315.2.png
THE PREVIEW BY ANDREW FIDEL FERNANDO
[RIGHT]
[/RIGHT]
http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/204100/204161.jpg
A century against Sri Lanka in Hamilton aside, Brendon McCullum’s recent ODI form has been a cause for worry for New Zealand © Getty ImagesMatch facts
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Start time 1400 local, 0100 GMT
Big Picture
In what might be the shortest turnaround between completely separate series, New Zealand farewell the Sri Lanka side they have dominated, and rejoin battle against Pakistan, who had tested them, across formats, in the UAE. Barely 40 hours will have passed between the final ball of the previous tour, and the first ball of the next.
The hosts sustained a minor blow when they lost the dead rubber to Sri Lanka, but otherwise have most weapons in their armoury nicely honed. Martin Guptill’s two golden ducks in three innings will be cause for mild concern, as will the inertia that continues to plague Ross Taylor’s innings. Both those batsmen have recently crossed, though, and the batting runs strong and deep anyway. The Pakistan matches will simply be two more chances to get right.
The bowling had fallen away slightly in Wellington, but with the series already won, New Zealand were fiddling around with their strategy. Only so much can be read into that performance.
Like Sri Lanka, Pakistan are missing a key bowler as Junaid Khan continues to recover from a nerve-related thigh injury, but as ever, their bowling talents are so wicked and varied, it is more a conspiracy than an attack. There is Mohammed Irfan and his thunderbolts from the sky, Shahid Afridi’s busy legbreaks set off by unearthly Pathan strength (he bowled a 132kph quicker ball, last time he played in Wellington), Wahab Riaz’s wild reverse swing, and legspinner Yasir Shah, with an action like melted velvet.
It is the batting in foreign conditions that will largely be the visitors’ worry though. Pakistan had been 79 for 5 in the 18th over in their second warm-up match in Lincoln, before Misbah-ul-Haq launched a familiar revival, alongside Umar Akmal. They can’t afford such a poor start against a humming opposition pace attack.
Form guide
(last five matches, most recent first)
**New Zealand:LWWWL
**Pakistan:LLWLW
In the spotlight
Brendon McCullum had a roaring start to the home season, with a big hundred in the Christchurch Test and 168 runs in the first two ODIs, but he has been quieter in the three innings since. He wins matches off his own blade when he fires, but in ODIs, he has not yet succeeded consistently against the better attacks. Good outings against Pakistan would ensure his cricket does not lose momentum, with the World Cup in touching distance.
Sarfraz Ahmed’s Karachi charisma has been a significant boon to Pakistan’s Test side, but he is yet to transplant that success to ODIs, where he has only one half century in 18 completed innings. Pakistan tried him as an opener in the warm-up match, which suggests they feel his talents are under-utilised down the order. He is a far superior gloveman to Umar Akmal too, but needs to prove that his batting is good enough first, to claim a place in the XI.
Teams news
It’s unclear if Adam Milne has recovered sufficiently from his side strain, but the remainder of New Zealand’s World Cup squad should be available for the match. Nathan McCullum may have a chance of replacing Daniel Vettori, as New Zealand seek to keep all their players match-ready.
New Zealand: (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt.), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk) , 7 Corey Anderson, 8 Nathan McCullum/ Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Trent Boult
Pakistan’s XI is less settled. There are all sorts of possibilities in the top order and the attack, and only the middle, where Misbah and Umar Akmal nail down two spots, seems immovable.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Bilawal Bhatti, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Mohammad Irfan, 11 Sohail Khan/ Ehsan Adil
Pitch and conditions
The same strip that was used for the Sri Lanka match will be in action again. The surface was hard, and had decent carry, but was also tacky at times, which may suit Pakistan. There was also plenty of swing to be had in the air, particularly during the early evening. Light showers are expected before play, and intermittently in the evening as well, so Duckworth-Lewis may come into play.
Stats and trivia
[LIST=|INDENT=4]
[li]New Zealand have won 22 ODIs and lost 15 against Pakistan, at home. Pakistan did win their most recent series 3-2 however, in 2011.[/li][li]Kane Williamson averages 66.56 in ODI cricket since the start of 2014[/li][/LIST]
Teams gear up for final WC prep | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
muhammad Irfan will make the difference in tonight's match,
P.S. hopefully he remains fit in all matches
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
M Irfan is so injury prone, I am not even sure if they should play him in warm-up games or games against not-so-strong teams
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
M. Irfan should be rested for until the first WC game. Cannot risk him this close to the main event. Plus, in this probable 11, where is Haris Sohail? Still scared from the ghost in his room? Bilawal will replace Haris Sohail but Bilawal is not even part of WC squad (yet), and Haris is. I am confused on this probable team selection mentioned here.
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
I am counting on Yasir Shah for his spin bowling..and Sarfraz Ahmed for batting.
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
M. Irfan should be rested for until the first WC game. Cannot risk him this close to the main event. Plus, in this probable 11, where is Haris Sohail? Still scared from the ghost in his room? Bilawal will replace Haris Sohail but Bilawal is not even part of WC squad (yet), and Haris is. I am confused on this probable team selection mentioned here.
Probable team is nothing but calculated guess from cricinfo.
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
nvm
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
o damn. it starts at 5pm my time 
Office sai jaldi kaisey bhagoon? 
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
are you in PST zone?
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
FML
I will be at work while the match will be telecasted :(
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
I will be sleeping when the match starts. 1.00 am UK time. Subah uth ker dekh lein gey Pak koh kitni kut pareee.
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
are you in PST zone?
yeah Kaliphonia
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
Got Keema Nan … in case i feel hungry during match …
Pak Support all night 
2 hours left :is:
P.S. now going to Costa Coffee at heathrow airport 
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
It will be on sky sports. Thinking of recording it, Pak wins I will watch it. They lose I will delete it.
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
hahahaha thats good ehsan bhai … :k:
P.S. i might visit birmingham tomorrow if pakistan wins
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
It will be on sky sports. Thinking of recording it, Pak wins I will watch it. They lose I will delete it.
Tell sky guys to program this functionality in the box already :)
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
Tell sky guys to program this functionality in the box already :)
With you watching the match the chances are that I will have to delete it. :(
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
With you watching the match the chances are that I will have to delete it. :(
What if begum tells me
"aray ja ker grocery ker k aeen kuch nahi hai pakaney ko ya phir dine out per chaltey hain" or "kia har waqat match match match"
she is your best bet ! LOL
Re: Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
What if begum tells me
"aray ja ker grocery ker k aeen kuch nahi hai pakaney ko ya phir dine out per chaltey hain" or "kia har waqat match match match"
she is your best bet ! LOL
PM me her email and I will advise her to take you out for a romantic dinner followed by a long long drive lasting 5 to 6 hours. That should do it.