New Zealand will be up against Pakistan in the 35th match of the ongoing World Cup at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday. The Kiwis have drifted away after a promising start to the tournament and they will want to get back to their best.
Pakistan, on the other hand, got the much-needed win against Bangladesh in their previous match. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for New Zealand: L L L W W
After winning their first four matches, the Kiwis have lost their previous three games. The injuries have added salt to the wound but the Blackscaps will want to bounce back stronger against Pakistan. New Zealand still has a potent squad and they will look to get the job done.
Current form for Pakistan: W L L L L
After losing four matches on the trot, Pakistan got the crucial win against Bangladesh. Pakistan’s pace battery was right on the money as they skittled the Tigers at 204 and then they chased down the score in quick time to boost their NRR.
Head to Head: Matches: 115, Won by Pakistan: 60, Won by New Zealand: 51, NR: 3, Tied: 1.
Pakistan holds the advantage against New Zealand in H2H.
Players to look out for: Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf will be the crucial players for Pakistan.
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson will be the crucial players for New Zealand.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.