World Cup 2023, Match 35 | New Zealand Predicted XI vs Pakistan

image-loifk31mNew Zealand will play against Pakistan in the 35th match of World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

In Match 35 of the ongoing flagship tournament, New Zealand will face Pakistan in a doubleheader on Saturday. This anticipated clash will take place on Saturday in the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, slated to begin at 10:30 AM IST.

Pakistan achieved their third victory of the World Championship event after four defeats. After winning the first couple of World Cup games, the men in Green received a rude awakening when India steamrolled them in Ahmedabad. It was followed by defeats to Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa. 

They made three changes in their most recent encounter against Bangladesh and found themselves on the right track. Fakhar Zaman's runs off the bat was a big cause for the triumph. Pakistan will need to win every match from now on to boost their chances of qualifying.   

For more such reads, click here.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, abruptly lost their way from the top. New Zealand was one of the top two teams in the points rankings two weeks ago. But three consecutive losses have led them to no. 4 position with insecurity of qualification. They recently lost to India, Australia, and South Africa.

Worst of all, the Kiwis are suffering from a rise in the number of injuries. Kane Williamson, their usual captain, has yet to fully recuperate. In addition, Matt Henry has a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the marquee event, Lockie Ferguson missed the previous game due to an Achilles injury, Jimmy Neesham suffered a wrist injury and Mark Chapman is learned to recover rapidly. Tall, lanky all-rounder, Kyle Jamieson has been summoned as a replacement to Henry and could play a part in Bengaluru.

Keeping in mind all the permutations and combinations, let us look at the predicted XI of New Zealand against Pakistan in what could be a virtual knockout.


Openers: Devon Conway and Will Young

New Zealand are going to look at Will Young and Devon Conway as the opening pair against Pakistan. It provides them a right and left hand combination at the top of the order that does not allow a set field for the opposition. The southpaw kicked off the tournament with a storm, scoring a 150 against England. Since then he failed to score vital runs for the team. Conway's partner, Young has scored fifties now and then, at times got starts but failed to convert. But in the absence of regular skipper, Kane Williamson, the Kiwis have no other option but to go with it.


Middle Order: Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham and Mark Chapman

Daryl Mitchell has been in marvellous nick with the willow in hand. He has scored 346 runs from six innings and is the second highest run-scorer for New Zealand in the World Cup. In his last three matches, Mitchell averages almost 70. Unfortunately for him, his best knocks of the mega-event have come in defeats.

Tom Latham's poor form with the bat is one of the major concerns of New Zealand cricket team. He is leading the side in the absence of Williamson but failed to lead with the bat. Regarded as a quality batter against spin, Latham will look to prove his mettle in an indispensable game against Pakistan.

Jimmy Neesham injured his wrist in the last game and it would depend on the severity of his injury whether Neesham can play or not. Coach Gary Stead mentioned that there was no bony damage but it was a deep bruise and Neesham felt soreness. In that case, Mark Chapman could feature against Pakistan. He is recovering rapidly and could return to the XI.


All-rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner and Kyle Jamieson

Rachin Ravindra is the leading run-getter for New Zealand in the tournament and has scored 415 runs from seven matches. He notched up centuries against England and Australia, scored a 75 against India and a 51 against the Dutch. The promotion of the left-hander at the top of the order has been a huge sigh of relief on the other batters.

Another all-rounder who is in good form with the bat is Glenn Phillips. But the South Africa-born cricketer has been the lone warrior for the side in recent times. He did score a fifty against South Africa but majority of his runs came with the tail. The best part of Phillips is his ability to take wickets by bowling part-time off-spin.

Mitchell Santner is the current leading wicket-taker for New Zealand with 14 scalps from seven matches. He took a fifer against Netherlands and has been one of the economic bowlers in the ongoing competition.

In a recent development, Kyle Jamieson had to land on Bengaluru as an injury replacement for Matt Henry. The latter suffered a grade two hamstring injury and therefore has been ruled out of the World Cup. Coach Stead expressed that they are expecting Jamieson to be good enough nominee in the playing XI for Saturday's game against Pakistan.


Bowlers: Tim Southee and Trent Boult

Southee and Boult are two of the best bowlers in the New Zealand cricket circuit. The duo can be lethal with the new ball and has experience of playing in the M. Chinnaswamy. Lockie Ferguson's chance of availability is "50-50" as stated by Stead. Henceforth the pair may work in tandem with the ball for New Zealand.


New Zealand Predicted XI against Pakistan

Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c/wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, and Trent Boult.