Match 35: NZ vs PAK| Match Analysis| Pitch Report| Best 11

The 35th match of the tournament will be played between New Zealand (NZ) and Pakistan (PAK).

Current Standings:

Pakistan (PAK) Analysis:

Finally after 4 consecutive defeats they managed to win against Bangladesh. Now they are still in contention for the playoffs. Some changes made by them in the last match definitely helped in the winning cause. They need to win all their remaining matches so that they can make it to the next round and might also depend on the other results too.     

Tournament performance so far:

Abdullah Shafique is playing tremendously well in this World Cup. He has scored 332 runs which includes 1 century and 3 half centuries. His consistent performance gives his team a solid start and the way he is playing might be the next best batsmen in the team. Fakhar Zaman just played one match which was against Netherlands and after that he was rested as he was unable to score runs in the past few months. But he played in the last match against Bangladesh and there he scored 81 runs. Not only this he hit 7 sixes in his innings which is rarely seen by the other Pakistani batters in this tournament.  

Imam-ul-Haq with his consistent non performance makes him rest in the last match. Except against Australia where he scored 70 runs looked in great rhythm but after that he missed that spark and got out early. Babar Azam, the skipper of the side, after starting the tournament with some low scores has now scored 3 half centuries with the total runs of 216. The only main thing which needs to be improved is his strike rate which is 77.70.   

Mohammad Rizwan is the highest scorer from the side with 359 runs in his credit. He has 1 century and 1 half century to his century. In the remaining matches he started well but couldn’t convert that into a big one. He is performing consistently and his striking power in the middle overs is quite good. Iftikhar Ahmed has not been able to perform well in this tournament. His highest score is 40 runs which came against Afghanistan. He is a hard hitter but it has not come yet.   

Saud Shakeel has scored 2 half centuries in this tournament. His highest score was 68 runs which came against Netherlands and in that match he escaped the team from low scoring. He has 212 runs till now and the team is expecting more from him in the middle and death overs. Shadab Khan one of the most experienced players in the team and not been able to perform well in both the departments. Though he has a couple of 30’s with the bat but was unable to convert that to a big one and with the ball he has been highly expensive. 

Mohammad Nawaz also failed to express himself in both the departments. With the bat he is unable to score much and with the ball he has just 2 wickets. Salman Agha is also a great all rounder, has been included in the last match but didn’t get a chance to perform in any of the departments. He can spin and bat destructive  in the death overs.    

Shaheen Afridi has now got his rhythm back and bowls with a perfect line and length. He has grabbed 16 wickets till now with an economy of 5.23. He took wickets in each match he played. Mohammad Wasim Junior  has been bowling tremendously well. In the last 2 matches which he played has taken 5 wickets and provided problems to the batters. Haris Rauf  after bowling some expensive spells has now finally bowled an economic spell against Bangladesh where he gave 36 runs in his 8 overs. Till now he has got 12 wickets. The only issue he faces is that he was beaten heavily under Powerplay 1.    

Usama Mir has got 4 wickets till now in the tournament, but his expensive spell must be in consideration as he gave easy runs to the opponents. He is currently the main spinner in the team in place of Shadab and Nawaz. Hasan Ali  started the World Cup  quite well but in the later progress of the tournament he was not able to perform consistently and has 8 wickets to his name.   

Predicted 11 for the Match:

Babar Azam ©, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Junior.  

New Zealand (NZ) Analysis:

Kiwis started their journey with 4 wins but after losing 3 back to back matches they are currently in a must win situation to make their place into the 2nd round. At one time they were heading towards easy qualification for the next round but their consecutive losses forced them to fight in the remaining matches. If they won their remaining matches then they might easily make their place to the next round.  

Tournament performance so far:

Devon Conway started the tournament with a brilliant 152 runs against the defending champion, but after that he seems to be struggling to give a good start. After the first match he scored 127 runs in the remaining 6 matches. He needs to spend more time on the pitch. Will Young started his innings with some solid runs but after crossing 30’s 40’s suddenly his patience broke down and got out. He has 2 half centuries to his name. 

Kane Willamson is struggling with his injury. He played just one match in the World Cup which was against Bangladesh where he scored 78 runs and in that same match he injured his fingers, due to which he had to sit outside. Rachin Ravindra the young talent has shown a lot of potential in his batting. He is currently the highest run scorer from the side with 415 runs which includes 2 centuries and 2 half centuries. He is performing pretty well and also can bowl in the middle overs. 

Daryl Mitchell has scored 346 runs in the tournament with 1 century and 2 half centuries. He has a healthy strike rate of 105.17. He can show his destructiveness anytime. A highly dependable batsman in the batting lineup. Tom Latham is leading the team in absence of Williamson. He is struggling a little bit in his batting as he scored 151 runs which includes 2 half centuries. After those 50’s he seemed to be in a difficulty which ultimately cost his wicket. 

Glenn Phillips is a great all rounder for the team and he is well known for his finishing skills. But in this tournament he shines with the ball also as he took 6 wickets. With the bat he has two fifties to his name. Jimmy Neesham played a fantastic innings against Australia and nearly took his team to a close victory but unfortunately he got out in the last over and the match slipped from their hands. 

Mitchell Santner is leading in wicket tally from the team’s point of view. He has 14 wickets in his pocket with an economy of 5.04. Except in the last match, he got some wicket in each match of the World Cup. Trent Boult is showing his experience in the death overs and most of the time he remains economical. He has 10 wickets in his credit and must be a crucial bowler to get his team to victory. 

Matt Henry has also bowled well and got 11 wickets in the tournament till now but he got injured in the last match against South Africa and was ruled out from the tournament. Kyle Jamieson was named as his replacement. Lockie Ferguson has taken 8 wickets to his name but didn’t play the last match due to injury but will return to the upcoming matches ahead. Tim Southee played in the last match where he got 2 wickets but gave away 77 runs in his 10 overs.         

Predicted 11 for the Match:

Tom Latham (c/wk), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson/Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson.

Pitch Report and Weather Report:

The match will be played at M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru. Due to the short boundaries here huge runs can be scored. Sixes can be easily seen in this ground. A batting paradise pitch where the batters can score easily. The Pacers will experience some heavy swing early on.

The weather might be a little bit problematic as there are huge chances of heavy rains on the match day. A must win for both the teams must be taken into consideration before the toss. Humidity will also be more than 70%.      

Head to head (NZ vs PAK) in the World Cup:

They played 9 matches against each other in the World Cup.  

Best 11 for the match:

Devon Conway, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Daryl Mitchell, Abdullah Shafique, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Junior.