Match Details:
- Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand (1st ODI of the Tri-Series)
- Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Toss Time: 2:00 PM IST
- Match Start Time: 2:30 PM IST
Teams Overview:
Pakistan: Pakistan enters this tri-series with strong preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy. They have a balanced side, led by captain Mohammad Rizwan, featuring key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. The hosts will aim to capitalize on home conditions and maintain their recent form, especially with the revamped Gaddafi Stadium offering new opportunities for their bowlers.
New Zealand: New Zealand comes into the series with a formidable squad, including experienced campaigners like Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, and Mitchell Santner. They have been known for their consistency in ODI cricket and will look to improve their chances ahead of the Champions Trophy. The Kiwis, with their well-rounded side, will look to challenge Pakistan in what promises to be a competitive start to the series.
Key Players:
- Pakistan:
- Babar Azam (Captain): The talismanic batsman is crucial for Pakistan’s chances, with his ability to anchor the innings and build partnerships.
- Shaheen Afridi: With his pace and ability to strike early, Afridi could be Pakistan’s main weapon with the ball.
- Mohammad Rizwan: The wicketkeeper-batsman has been in form recently and will be vital for both his batting and leadership in this series.
- New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson: The captain is New Zealand’s anchor and will be a key player in guiding the team through tough situations.
- Mitchell Santner: An all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball, Santner’s control in the middle overs will be crucial.
- Tom Latham: As a wicketkeeper-batsman, Latham will be crucial in setting a platform for the team’s middle order.
Head to Head (ODIs):
- Total Matches Played: 116
- Pakistan Wins: 51
- New Zealand Wins: 61
- No Result: 3
- Tied Matches: 1
Probable Playing XI:
Pakistan (Probable):
- Fakhar Zaman
- Babar Azam (C)
- Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Salman Agha
- Tayyab Tahir
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Haris Rauf
- Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand (Probable):
- Will Young/Devon Conway
- Rachin Ravindra
- Kane Williamson (C)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (WK)
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Matt Henry
- Jacob Duffy
- Lockie Ferguson
Pitch Report:
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is expected to offer a balanced pitch with some assistance for both the batsmen and bowlers. The wicket generally provides good pace and bounce, making it conducive for stroke play. However, spinners may come into play during the middle overs, especially if the game extends into the second innings. Batting first could prove advantageous as conditions might slow down later, but chasing totals has been successful at this venue in recent matches.
-
Live Streaming
India:
- TV Channel: Sony Pictures Network (Specific channel to be announced)
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Pakistan:
- TV Channel: Asports
- Live Streaming: Tamasha App, Tapmad
Probable Scenarios:
- If Pakistan Bat First: With key players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman in form, Pakistan will aim to put a challenging total on the board. The batting order looks solid, but they will need to capitalize on the initial overs and accelerate later in the innings.
- If New Zealand Bat First: New Zealand’s top order, led by Kane Williamson and Tom Latham, will look to anchor the innings. The middle order must build partnerships to ensure a competitive total. The Kiwis will rely on Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell to stabilize the innings in the latter stages.
- Key Battles: Shaheen Afridi vs Kane Williamson will be a crucial contest, as Afridi’s pace could challenge Williamson’s technique, while Shaheen’s ability to take early wickets will be vital in swinging the momentum in Pakistan’s favor.
Match Prediction:
- Outcome: A closely contested match with both teams having strong chances. Pakistan may have a slight edge due to home advantage, but New Zealand’s experience and balanced squad could make them formidable opponents.
- Winner Prediction: Pakistan (based on home advantage and a solid overall squad).
This match is crucial for both teams as they begin their preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy, and the outcome could set the tone for their performances in the rest of the tri-series.
