PAK vs NZ 1st ODI Prediction 09 Jan 2023

After witnessing a draw in both games, Pakistan will host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series and will be eyeing to wipe out the visitors. New Zealand last played ODI in November against team India at their home ground. As they come after playing two Test games, the Kiwis will be well aware of the conditions.

• Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq are in great form when it comes to the ODI format
• Kane Williamson will be leading the Kiwis and he has recently gained his old form back
• The first game is expected to be an absolute thriller between both the teams

PAK vs NZ – 1st ODI – Venue Details

Venue: Karachi City Cricket Association Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan

Date: 9th January 2023

Time: 3.00 PM (IST)

PAK vs NZ – 1st ODI – Team Previews

Pakistan

Pakistan cricket is going through some major changes and especially for the ongoing series, they have announced a selection committee headed by former Pakistani legend Shahid Afridi. There are some new faces in the team who will be motivated to make an impact for their team.

Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are not part of the series because of their respective injuries and the absence of these two will affect the overall performance of the team. Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam and leg-spinner Usama Mir are part of the team and will be making an appearance in starting XI.

Another surprising inclusion is the return of left-handed batter Haris Sohail who has not played a 50-over international fixture since October 2020 and therefore, it will be interesting to see whether he will be able to impress in his first outing at that level. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim will be responsible for the bowling attack of the team.

New Zealand

Kiwis are coming to play the ODI format after a long time and they also have done a few changes in the squad. After their T20 World Cup exit, Kane Williamson announced his resignation from the Test captaincy and now he will be more focused towards the ODI world cup. This will also help him to focus on his form in the ODI format.

Finn Allen, Devon Conway, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, left-handed batter Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips will be responsible for New Zealand’s batting attack. They will be given the responsibility to overpower Pakistan’s bowling attack.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee along with the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi to produce timely breakthroughs.

PAK vs NZ – 1st ODI – Probable Playing XI

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi

PAK vs NZ – 1st ODI – Toss Prediction and Pitch Report

Karachi City Cricket Association Stadium will be hosting the first ODI and the pitch is new for the 50-over format. The toss-winning team should opt to bat first because a chase is always difficult on a new pitch.

PAK vs NZ – 1st ODI – Toss Prediction and Pitch Report

Both the teams are evenly matched when it comes to the ODI format. However, Pakistan will have some new faces in the team and that might affect the outcome of the game. New Zealand has good depth in batting and they have also understood the playing conditions. We predict a win for New Zealand in the first ODI.