Babar Azam And...? 3 Pakistan Stars Who Must Perform In ODIs Vs NZ To Justify Their Selection

Pakistan stars who need to deliver [Source: @ishach12345678/x.com]

Pakistan were taken to the cleaners in the T20I series against New Zealand as the side lost 4-1. The Men in Green tried out new players in the series and the move somewhat back-fired as none of them delivered the goods as the Kiwi side ran riot and dismantled the Pakistan side with ease.

For the ODIs against the Black Caps, experienced Pakistan stars are back in the side, but there are several players who need to perform to justify their selection. Here are 3 such players who are under pressure to deliver.

1) Babar Azam

The player who will be under tremendous pressure, Babar Azam has a point to prove in the upcoming ODIs. He has been under-fire for his performances as of late and the former ODI captain needs a confidence booster series.

(Babar ODI stats in 2025)

Just 129 runs and no match-winning score in 2025, Babar has gone through a rough patch as of late. He was omitted from the T20Is Vs the Kiwis and another failure in the ODIs could see him getting dropped from the ODI format as well. A strike-rate of just 77 also doesn't help his cause in this format.

2) Naseem Shah

Another player who was dropped from the T20Is recently, Naseem Shah's ODI game has regressed recently and he looks like a pale shadow of himself.

Just like Babar, Naseem, too, underperformed in the Champions Trophy as the batters took him apart easily.

(Naseem Shah stats in CT)

In the Champions Trophy, Naseem was below his best as his pace dropped considerably and he only picked up 2 wickets in 2 matches, at an average of 50.

He has again been given a chance in the ODIs vs New Zealand and if he fails, the exit door might be shown to the pacer.

3) Abdullah Shafique

The under-fire opener of the Pakistan team, time is running out fast for Abdullah Shafique in the ODIs. With Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman likely to be the first choice openers after this series, Shafique needs a series of big scores to cement his place in the ODIs.

(Shafique ODI stats in 2024)

He will most likely open against Imam-ul-Haq and if the batter fails in the three-match series, he could be out of reckoning in the ODIs.

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