To find an opportunity for New Zealand to win the ODI series for Pakistan, one has to go back to 1976. That is, if you consider one match rubber as a series. Next Friday, the Kane Williamson-led team has the potential for its first true series victory.
But if you ask New Zealand, very little will come to their minds. The 50 Over World Cup will be played in very similar conditions to Karachi and the whole focus will be on moving the team and tactically preparing them for the challenges ahead. They already read the situation completely on their second ODI, decided to hit first, chose an extra spinner, and want to continue training their brains.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will have the task of recovering from a convincing defeat on the floor where there were turns and jumps. The situation meant that the middle class was unable to fully recover from the pacemaker’s early two hits, and no hitter other than Babar Azam looked fit to tackle the high-pressure run hunt in difficult conditions. I did.
When: Friday, January 13 at 2:30 PM local
Where: National Stadium, Karachi
What to expect: Another typical game with middling 250-ish team totals. Expect a dry and pleasant weather for cricket, with a high of 22 degree celsius.
Team news
Pakistan: The hosts handed a debut to Usama Mir in the first ODI and stuck with the same side for the second game. They are likely to go with the same side.
Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Haris Sohail, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
New Zealand: The visitors brought in Ish Sodhi for Henry Shipley in the last game and are likely to stick with the same side. The legspinner starred in the series-leveling win with figures of 2-38 in his eight overs.
Probable XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson