An earlier series of tests between the two teams had yielded no results in either test, ending a disastrous season for both teams.
Pakistan and New Zealand will face off in the first of three of his one-day international matches in Karachi on Monday ahead of this year’s World Cup in India.
An earlier series of tests between the two teams had yielded no results in either test, ending a disastrous season for both teams.
Pakistan has failed to win any of her three home tests and out of eight tests she has lost four. This also included his 3–0 whitewash for the first time against England.
New Zealand have also failed to win any of their last six Tests. But Babar Azam is confident his team will do well in the limited-time match.
Speaking about the World Cups in October and November, Azam said, “Pakistan has proven they are a good whiteball team and this series has given them the perfect starting point to begin their preparations for the World Cup. Give me
Azam’s team won his eight of his nine one-day internationals last year, including an impressive home series where he beat Australia 2–1.
“We are a well-rounded team with solid hitters and bowlers who have proven themselves time and time again, so I am confident they will do well in the series ahead,” Azam said.
Pakistan will miss frontrunner Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is recovering from a knee injury sustained last November, while all-rounder Shadav Khan will also be sidelined with a recent broken finger. Fakar Zaman in the opening game strengthened his batting, and Harris Sohail was also recalled for the first time in two years.
New Zealand, runners-up at the last World Cup in 2019, boasted a strong unit led by stylish hitter Kane in his Williamson, with his 10 wins out of his 16 ODIs last year.
They were dominant against Pakistan, winning 12 of the last 15 ODIs between the two teams.
Williamson is also focused on the World Championship after giving up the test captaincy.
Referring to the 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Championships last month, Williamson said, “With two World Championships in the next two years, I felt it would be desirable to continue as captain in a whiteball format. New Zealand pacesetter Matt Henry is also out of the ODI with a persistent abdominal strain on the final day of the tied test.
Pastrio’s Trent Boult, Kyle Jamison and Adam Milne have already been sidelined for a variety of reasons.
The remaining matches will also be played in Karachi on Wednesday and Friday.
Teams (from):
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Asif Yaqoob (PAK)
TV umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)