PAK vs NZ Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s 1st ODI Between Pakistan And New Zealand?

Pakistan will face New Zealand for the first match of the tri-nation series [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Pakistan will be facing New Zealand and South Africa in a tri-series match that starts on February 8. Hosted by Pakistan, the nation will be facing off against New Zealand for the 1st ODI on Saturday which will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Fans can catch the live action from 2:30 PM IST.  

New Zealand

Fresh off a series win against Sri Lanka, New Zealand will be eager to make a strong start as they take on Pakistan in their upcoming ODI encounter. Led by Mitchell Santner, the Kiwis have a well-rounded squad featuring a blend of seasoned campaigners and rising stars. The batting lineup, anchored by Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Tom Latham, holds the key to setting up a competitive total. 

All-rounders like Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips provide valuable depth, while the pace attack, featuring Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Ben Sears, will look to put pressure on Pakistan's batters. With a versatile squad and a determined mindset, New Zealand will aim to start their campaign on a winning note. 

Pakistan

Pakistan will face New Zealand after a long hiatus in the ODI format. They last met for the ODI World Cup match in 2023, and the Men in Green emerged victorious. Pakistan will aim to make a strong statement as they face New Zealand in their upcoming ODI match. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, batters like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Saud Shakeel will be key in anchoring the lineup, while all-rounders Agha Salman and Kamran Ghulam add depth to both departments. 

The pace attack, spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, will be crucial in challenging New Zealand’s batters. With a balanced squad and a hunger to dominate, Pakistan will look to kick off their campaign with a commanding performance.

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PAK vs NZ: Head-To-Head In ODIs

How will the Gaddafi Stadium pitch behave?

The Gaddafi Stadium is known for its slow pitches, which provide little bounce for fast bowlers. As a result, they must maintain consistency in their line and length to be effective on this surface. In contrast, spinners will find support from the pitch, with leg spinners likely to be the most successful on this turf. 

Historically the pitch has favoured teams batting first and hence, going with the trend, the toss-winning captain would like to choose to bat first and set a dominating target to abuse later conditions for bowling.

Players to watch out for in PAK vs NZ 1st ODI

Key Players For Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter has been in fine form, scoring 134 runs in his last three ODIs against South Africa at an average of 44.67. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a steady strike rate makes him a key player in the middle order. Rizwan’s experience and composure under pressure will be vital against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack.

Shaheen Afridi

With 119 wickets in 59 ODIs at an impressive average of 23.14, Shaheen Afridi remains Pakistan’s spearhead in the pace department. His ability to strike early with the new ball and deliver breakthroughs in crucial phases can put New Zealand on the back foot. Afridi’s aggression and skill with both swing and pace will be instrumental in controlling the opposition's top order.

Babar Azam

Pakistan’s premier batter has been consistent against South Africa, amassing 148 runs in his last three ODIs at an average of 49.33. His ability to build partnerships and accelerate when needed makes him the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup. Against New Zealand’s strong bowling attack, Babar’s class and leadership at the crease will be essential for setting up a competitive total.

Key Players For New Zealand

Kane Williamson

New Zealand’s batting anchor, Kane Williamson, brings stability and experience to the lineup, having scored 233 runs in the SA20 League at an average of 46.60. His ability to handle Pakistan’s pace attack and build partnerships will be crucial in setting up a strong total. As one of the best players of spin, Williamson’s presence in the middle order will be key against Pakistan’s varied bowling attack.

Rachin Ravindra

The young all-rounder has been in fine touch, scoring 125 runs in his last three ODIs against Sri Lanka at a striking rate of 120.19. His aggressive approach at the top can give New Zealand a strong start, putting pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers early on. Additionally, his left-arm spin could play a crucial role in restricting runs on a slow pitch.

Matt Henry

Matt Henry has been New Zealand’s go-to bowler in ODIs, picking up nine wickets in his last three matches at a stunning economy rate of 3.72. His ability to strike with the new ball and contain runs in the middle overs makes him a key asset against Pakistan’s batting lineup. With recent figures of 4/55 and 4/19 against Sri Lanka, Henry will be a major threat with his accuracy and movement.

Today's Match Prediction: PAK vs NZ 1st ODI

Predicted Top Performers

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam
New Zealand: Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry

PAK vs NZ 1st ODI: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 250-260
Predicted second innings score: 210-220

Predicted Result: The team choosing to bat first will likely have the upper hand in this match.

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