Predicting Pakistan’s Playing XI for their second ODI against New Zealand

After facing a big 73-run defeat against New Zealand in the first ODI, Pakistan are set to take on the Blackcaps in the second ODI of the three-match series. The game will be played at the Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday, April 2, at 3:30 AM (IST). It will be a crucial and must-win game for Pakistan to keep their hopes alive in the three-match series. 

Notably, the Men in Green have been in a miserable run of form in their last five ODIs, including three of them in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. They have faced four defeats alongside an abandoned game in their last five ODI games. So, Mohammad Rizwan’s men will aim to win this game and end their losing streak. 

The predicted playing XI of Pakistan for their second ODI against the young New Zealand side 

Openers  

The visitors will look ahead to go with the unchanged opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Usman. The duo provided a strong and steady start to their side in the first ODI, adding 83 runs for the wicket in 12.4 overs. Shafique scored 36 runs off 49 balls, with five fours and a six. He will look to convert his good start into a big knock in the second ODI. 

On the other hand, Usman Khan scored 39 runs off 33 balls, with 4 fours and a six. He was looking in good touch, playing some brilliant shots in the powerplay phase of the innings. So, he will also look ahead to stitch another strong opening partnership with Abdullah Shafique to help Pakistan post a big total on the board. 

Middle-Order 

The middle-order of the visitors will start with the number three batter and former skipper Babar Azam. He played a brilliant half-century knock in the last game, scoring 78 runs off 83 balls, with five fours and three sixes, missing a well-deserved century. He will be looking ahead to continue his form in the next game as well. 

Following Babar Azam, skipper Mohammad Rizwan will be there to bat at number four; he contributed with 30 runs off 34 balls, with two fours and a six. Later in the middle order, Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan are expected to bat at number five and six, including some chances of a bit of shuffling in the middle order. Notably, Irfan Khan was also impressive with the ball in the last game as he claimed 3 wickets in his five-over stint. 

All-Rounder  

The T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha could be there as an all-rounder in the playing XI of Pakistan for the upcoming Hamilton ODI against the Kiwis. He played a brilliant knock of 58 runs off 48 balls, with five fours and two sixes in the last game while batting at number five. The management and skipper might also send him up to bat in the second ODI. 

Besides that, Agha can also contribute with some important overs with the ball in the middle overs of the game to restrict the hosts’ batters to a low total. 

Bowlers  

Pakistan are expected to field the out-and-out pace bowling attack in the penultimate fixture of the ODI series, including four pacers. This pace quartet will include Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali. 

Haris Rauf scalped 2 wickets at just 38 runs in his 10 overs, including a maiden over, alongside 2 wickets bagged by Akif Javed at 55 runs in 10 overs, with a maiden over to his credit. Apart from these two, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali also claimed a wicket each.  

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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