NZ vs PAK, 1st ODI Preview: Pakistan eye to continue their juggernaut against incumbent New Zealand at home

New Zealand and Pakistan will lock horns in the first of the five-match ODI series on Saturday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The home side has recently blanked Windies across all the formats and is looking absolutely in great touch with most of their players in form. The visitors, on the other hand, are coming off a successful limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and continue their winning run in the format. However, it would all come down to adapting the conditions for them as the two teams will face in the series opener.

The Kiwis are on a high after defeating the hapless Caribbean side without even breaking a sweat in the three matches. They were also brilliant during their series against India away when they pushed the home side to the corner. The team combination also looks fairly settled for them as the selectors have managed to keep the players fresh ahead of the crucial series. Though they will take the unpredictable Pakistan side lightly at their own peril and look to build on the recent series victories at home.

How many times has Pakistan visited New Zealand with a real chance of winning the series? This time around they look a formidable side which has won their last six matches in the format. They are unbeaten in ODIs since June (Champions Trophy final) and also brushed aside the opponents in the warm-up game in Nelson. The skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and the coach Mickey Arthur would want to make a statement and win more games away from home. They have all the ingredients to emerge victorious in this series and create history.

Team Combinations

New Zealand

New Zealand look a fairly settled side in their own den and will be bolstered by the return of their swashbuckling opener Martin Guptill. George Worker is expected to make way for him and would feel a little bit unlucky as he had a good series against Windies. Kane Williamson will be back as the skipper with Tom Latham leading the side in his absence during the recent game. Todd Astle should be able to keep his place in the side for his all-round ability. The new-ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee will also return to pick early wickets.

Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

Pakistan

The Men in Green are expected to stick with the same combination that won them the warm-up game convincingly. Azhar Ali has returned at the top given his exploits with the bat in the seaming conditions. Mohammad Hafeez will play as a specialist batsman after ICC banned him from bowling in 2017. Shoaib Malik will take over the responsibility of all-rounder in the side in his absence with the ball. Though it would be interesting the way bowling attack fares in the alien conditions.

Probable XI: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees

Focus will be on

Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Martin Guptill will be under the radar as he is making his comeback in the ODI side after playing all the three T20 Internationals against the Caribbean side. Though he is an automatic choice at the top for the Kiwis given his aggression while opening the innings the lean 2017 could not be ignored. Even he will be knowing that he needs to perform after not being able to score above 33 in his last seven outings in the format. If he comes back in form in the first ODI, it would win the game for the Balck Caps single-handedly.

Hasan Ali (Pakistan)

Hasan Ali owned the year 2017 since he redefined his career in the ICC Champions Trophy where he was the highest wicket-taker. He is absolutely accurate with his bowling and is always pumped to contribute for his country. Though it would be key for him to continue in the same vein in the new year. He will be aware of the fact that wind plays a huge role in the games in New Zealand and would want to use it to his advantage. Surely, Hasan Ali is the player to watch out for in the upcoming series.

Catch up on all news about the New Zealand vs Pakistan series on CricTracker.