ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 33: NZ vs PAK – Pakistan Predicted Playing XI

It was good to see Pakistan bounce back in their last game against South Africa. They won a match after quite a while and it came at a time when they needed it the most. However, their job is hardly done as yet. Bigger challenges await as the ‘Men in Green’ look to stay alive in the tournament.

In their next game, they will be up against New Zealand, who are yet to be beaten in the World Cup 2019. Pakistan seemed to have struck the right balance with their playing XI in the last match. They will eye another good win in the upcoming match to keep their chances sharp in the tournament.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan

Openers (Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman)

Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman will open the innings for Pakistan. Both these players have been in good form and are hitting the ball well. However, they haven’t been able to provide the team with good, solid starts. Both Imam and Fakhar have often thrown their starts away.

In the last match against the Proteas, both of them scored 44 runs each. But, none could go on to make that score a big win. All the teams that are performing well in the tournament have had at least one of their openers do a chunk of the scoring for them. Pakistan should take a cue out of it and start the innings off well.

Middle Order (Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c) (wk))

Babar Azam is doing a fair job at number three. He mustered 69 runs in the last match but could have done better given the potential that he’s got. Mohammad Hafeez, although not the most consistent, is fulfilling his duties well. The 38-year-old adds up as an important bowler in the team and his experience will come handy in difficult situations.

Haris Sohail has cemented his spot in the eleven at least for now and his match-winning performance in the last match. If the requirement is there, he can even roll his arm over and bowl economical spells. Depending upon the situation of the game, Sarfaraz Ahmed will either promote or demote himself in the batting order.

All Rounders (Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan)

Imad Wasim adds a great bit of balance to the team. He is an aggressive batsman and does the finishing job with the willow. He is someone who can also open the bowling and often hits tight lines and lengths. Thus, he is quite economical and adds a great balance to the side.

Shadab Khan will be the other all-rounder in the side. After the forgettable outing against India, he bounced back well and picked up three wickets in the last match. Quite a few of the New Zealand players struggle at times against quality spin. He should look to make the most of this and deliver to the best of his capability.

Bowlers (Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi)

Mohammad Amir has picked up form at the right time and is doing a fabulous job for his team. The man who struggled to pick up any wickets throughout the last year has accounted for 15 scalps in his last five outings. Along with Wahab Riaz, he is a critical member of this bowling attack.

Wahab picked up three wickets in the last match and was good. Pakistan will have to make a call between Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali. They might look to give the left-arm pacer another opportunity to prove his mettle. The youngster should look to be slightly more economical, though.