New Zealand went 1-0 up with two to play in their ODI series with Pakistan earlier in the week and when the two sides meet in the second game in Napier on Thursday the home side know they can wrap up another series with a match to spare.
Pakistan had New Zealand where they wanted them early on in the opening game of the series but then they got all defensive and allowed the Kiwis to get away from them. Azhar Ali is a relatively new captain and he will need to be more aggressive than that from now on but we can allow him one mistake.
New Zealand are enjoying a weird summer. Not once have they had their first choice XI out on the park but yet they have demolished Sri Lanka in all three formats and already seen off Pakistan in the T20s. A win here will give them their fifth series win of a very productive summer.
They suffered yet another injury in the first game when Mitchell McClenaghan was hit by a bouncer which got underneath the peak of the helmet and between the grill to do some damage to his eye. He has been replaced in the squad by Doug Bracewell. Luke Ronchi has been sat down with BJ Watling coming in. Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Brendon McCullum remain out.
Pakistan were without Shoaib Malik in the opening match of the series but he has recovered from his injury and should return to the starting line up. Mohammad Amir went off during his bowling spell with an injury but came back to bat so he should be fine for this game.
McLean Park in Napier is the venue for this match. There have been 42 previous matches on this ground. New Zealand have played in all bar two of them and have a 24-13 winning record here. Pakistan have two wins from seven attempts on the ground.
Usually we see high scoring matches here but there is rain in the forecast in the lead up to the match so we might not get scores quite as high as we are used to in this match. That might play into the hands of the visitors here.
Pakistan will know they gave up an excellent chance in the first match but with a better balance to their side for this game with the expected inclusion of Shoaib Malik coming back into the side I think they can sustain their advantage this time should they get one.
New Zealand’s resources are gradually getting tested more and more and already their eyes are starting to look towards Australia too so in a match which could be shortened by rain I’m happy to chance Pakistan here in these conditions.
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