Fakhar Zaman has been the showstopper in the ODIs (AP Photo)
The third ODI of the five-match ODI series will get underway at National Stadium, Karachi on May 3. This is a very crucial fixture for both sides. Pakistan are just one win away from a famous series win over New Zealand. While New Zealand desperately need a victory to stay alive in the series.
Team Preview
Pakistan
The Men in Green are way ahead in the series with two wins under their belt. Their batting department has prospered very well in the ongoing series and has convincingly won twice chasing targets. Furthermore, Pakistan completed their second-highest successful run chase in ODI cricket on Saturday by clashing down a mammoth 337 with 10 balls to spare.
Fakhar Zaman has been in dream form as he starred with the bat in both matches registering swashbuckling knocks of 117 (114) and 180* (144) respectively.
However, Pakistan's bowling has looked a tad bit brittle when compared to their batting. It will be interesting to see how the bowling department goes about defending their target in the second innings.
New Zealand
The Kiwis have fought valiantly in the series but have unfortunately ended up on the losing side. Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham and Will Young have demonstrated their batting prowess and are quite capable of thwarting Pakistani bowlers.
But it is their bowling which needs to come good. There is a fair amount of inexperience in their bowling lineup as Blair Tickner, Henry Shipley and Rachin Ravindra haven't had a lot of international games under their belt.
The senior bowlers featuring the likes of Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Adam Milne need to come to the fore to spoil the party for Pakistan.
Match Details
Date & Time: May 3, 4:30 PM IST
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Live Streaming and Broadcast: SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report: This Karachi deck is likely to be on the slower side, unlike the pitch in Rawalpindi. The surface is expected to stay hard and true during the first half of the game favouring the batting side. But once the track starts wearing off, the spinners will come into action and extract a lot of purchase from the track.
The average first-innings ODI score is 234, whereas the average second-innings ODI score is barely 202. This serves as an indication that it is not going to be a high-scoring venue and anything over 280 is very difficult to chase on this wicket.
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammed Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Tom Latham
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Will Young
All-Rounders: Shadab Khan, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham
Bowlers: Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Adam Milne
Captain: Babar Azam
Vice Captain: James Neesham
Prediction
Being 2-0 up in the series, Pakistan has the home advantage on their side and would be clear favourites to win the game and seal the series. However, Pakistan must not get complacent as they still require to apply the finishing touches. The men in green were in a similar position in the recently concluded T20 series leading the series by 2-0. But their lack of intent in the final stages allowed the Black Caps to crawl their way back and level the series.
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