Pakistan have taken 1-0 lead in the series [AP Photos]
With a 1-0 lead in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series, Pakistan head into the second encounter in high spirits against New Zealand. The 2nd ODI will be played at Rawalpindi, which hosted the opening match on Thursday, where the Babar Azam-led side prevailed over Tom Latham and Co. by five wickets.
Team Preview
Pakistan
Team Pakistan played a flawless game on Thursday, where they clicked in both their batting and bowling. The fielding department once again seemed sloppy, which could have cost them runs but did not.
Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah coming back into form is great news for Pakistan with an emphasis on ODI cricket this year. Team management will look to improve their middle-order batting, which almost faltered in the chase.
New Zealand
New Zealand's collective batting has not been at par on this white-ball tour. Individual flashes of brilliance have kept the team afloat, with Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell standing out so far.
Other batters need to step up if the Black Caps have any chance of beating Pakistan in this series.
Skipper Latham, being the senior-most member of the side, needs to put his hand up and make sizeable contributions. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Adam Milne and Matt Henry, almost stopped Pakistan in their tracks chasing 289.
Match Details
Date & Time: April 29, 04:00 PM IST
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Live Streaming and Broadcast: SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report
As seen in the first ODI, the track mainly assisted the batters, however, it got slower as the game progressed, making big-hitting difficult. The freshness upfront did offer support to the pacers, but with the sun beating down, the moisture in the pitch will get dried up.
Predicted Playing XI
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.
New Zealand: Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk/c), Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, and Blair Tickner.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Tom Latham
Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Will Young
All-Rounders: Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Daryl Mitchell
Bowlers: Naseem Shah, Adam Milne, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Captain: Fakhar Zaman
Vice Captain: Daryl Mitchell
Prediction
Pakistan did manage to win the first ODI, but New Zealand were able to give them a scare at the end, taking the match till the second-last over. Overall, the home side still holds an advantage in the contest and are likely to come out on top.
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