After what turned into quite a dramatic Test series, Pakistan and New Zealand get rid of the whites and put the coloured kit on for what should be a decent three-match ODI series which begins in Karachi on Monday.
Usually an ODI series which follows a Test series will carry little meaning but we are only nine months away from the 50 over World Cup so these matches offer the chance for both teams to begin their preparation for that event.
Pakistan
Although they haven’t played it for a while, Pakistan are actually one of the better exponents of ODI cricket. This will be their first 50 over match since August but they bring an eight-match unbeaten run in the format into the game with them. How much of that will be fresh in the memory after so long between hits remains to be seen but I think the way this Pakistan side are made up this is their best format at present.
The Pakistan batters have a little longer to get into their work in the 50 over game as opposed to the 20 over one where there is a necessity to show intent from the minute they get to the crease. The bowlers also have a chance to build into a spell and get a bit of a rhythm going and everything is just more at a pace which suits Pakistan so it is no surprise they are carrying a good record with them. They will need to be at their best against a decent opposition though.
New Zealand
New Zealand were fairly active in ODI cricket in 2022 playing 14 completed matches in the format. They won 10 of them but nine of those victories came against the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and West Indies so if you want to be critical of them then you could argue that the schedule was a little padded. When they came up against top level sides they lost three times to Australia but did get a win over a much changed India side.
I happen to think the 50 over format suits New Zealand better than 20 overs as well. That is probably evident really when you consider that they have made the last two World Cup finals in this format of the game and they will have their eye on a third straight one later this year. The New Zealand batters can bat at a pace which suits them better in this format and their bowlers can get into their work much better as well.
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Team News
Having been made the vice-captain of the team it would appear that Shan Masood will be in the starting XI here. Shaheen Shah Afridi is still overcoming an injury but Haris Rauf is in the squad and expected to return here.
Trent Boult is away playing in the T20 leagues so New Zealand will lack a spearhead to their attack. Matt Henry was ruled out on the eve of the series and Adam Milne isn’t involved so all-rounder Henry Shipley could make an international debut.
Betting
I’ll see how both teams go in this format after so long out of it before I get too involved in betting in these matches but we’ve seen a lot of cricket in Karachi in the last month or so and the one thing we have seen is that the pitches here are very flat and it wouldn’t make much sense if that isn’t the case for a 50 over series as well. I’m very much expecting the batters to have the better of the bowlers at least in this opening game if not the series overall.
When the batters are going to shine my eyes turn to Babar Azam, who for me is probably the best batter in the world at present, especially in this format. He has scored plenty of runs in Test cricket recently and I see no reason why that won’t continue here. Babar has a brilliant 50 over record. He averages a notch under 60 in ODI cricket and has passed 50 in nine of his last 10 ODI innings. The one innings he didn’t reach 50 he was out for one but that was the third game at the same ground in four days so the pitches might have tired. It should be a fresh pitch here and I think the Pakistan skipper can continue his impressive record by covering a 37.5 run line. He has covered this in his last three ODIs against New Zealand and can do it again.
Tips
Back B.Azam – Over 37.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
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