Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI: PAK vs NZ Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

Pakistan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan got off to a great start in the five-match ODI series vs New Zealand as they registered a five-wicket win over the visitors on Thursday, April 27 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. The two teams will once again lock horns in the second ODI on Saturday, April 29 at the same venue. After being put in to bat first in the first ODI, New Zealand rode on Daryl Mitchell’s hundred (113 off 115) and Will Young’s brilliant knock of 86 off 78 balls and posted 288/7 in their allotted 50 overs. Naseem Shah shone with the ball for the home team as he scalped 2 wickets for 29 runs in his ten-over spell.

In reply, Pakistan comfortably chased down the target with nine balls to spare courtesy of a magnificent hundred by Fakhar Zaman (117 off 114). Imam-ul-Haq (60 off 65), Babar Azam (49 off 46) and Mohammad Rizwan (42* off 34) also made valuable contributions with the bat. Adam Milne was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand as he picked 2/60 in nine overs, however, he leaked runs at an economy of 6.70.

New Zealand failed to break the opening partnership of Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq with the duo adding 124 runs for the first wicket. The left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra also didn’t have a good day in the middle as he gave away 53 runs in 7.3 overs leaking runs at an economy of 7.10.

The Kiwi captain Tom Latham will hope for an improved performance by their bowling unit in the second ODI as they take the field to level the series in the second game. On the other hand, the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team will be eager to put up another clinical performance and get one step closer towards sealing the series in the second ODI.

Pitch and Conditions

In the 25 ODIs played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, 13 have been won by teams batting second. The highest total recorded at the venue is 329/6 by Pakistan vs India. The target of 289 chased by Pakistan in the first ODI is also the highest successful chase at the venue. The captain winning the toss will once again look to bowl first and chase down whatever target they get keeping the past record of the venue in mind.

Probable Playing XIs for PAK vs NZ, 2nd ODI

Pakistan

Pakistan are likely to not make any changes to their winning combination and will field the same team in the second ODI as well.

Pakistan’s predicted XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

New Zealand

The only change that New Zealand could ponder about is including the bowling all-rounder Cole McConchie in place of Rachin Ravindra, who didn’t have a memorable outing in the first game. However, captain Tom Latham might not press the panic button this soon and is likely to give another opportunity to the youngster.

New Zealand’s predicted XI: Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c & wk), Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner

 

PAK vs NZ Head-to-Head in ODIs

Played – 111 New Zealand – 50