New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, Cricket World Cup 2023: Follow live score and latest updates of NZ vs PAK cricket match, straight from Bengaluru.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, Cricket World Cup 2023: With the race to top-four getting more and more intense with every passing day, fourth-placed New Zealand take on Pakistan, who are sixth, in ODI 35 of the ongoing 2023 World Cup in Bengaluru on Saturday. New Zealand have four wins and three defeats, the latest being a massive 190-run loss against South Africa, which has put serious doubts over their capabilities. On the other hand, Pakistan revived their campaign with a much-needed seven-wicket victory against already-eliminated Bangladesh. The result saw Pakistan take their points tally to six.
A defeat against New Zealand will put an end to Pakistan’s semifinal hopes in India. Meanwhile, a win will see them maintain their chances of making it to the knockouts, but they will need to win their other match too and hope other results go in their favour.
A lot of focus could be on Kyle Jamieson, who has been roped in to replace the injured Matt Henry. Jamieson has already spent some time in India with the squad as training cover and he arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday, practicing on the eve of the contest. Although, he could have to wait for a match though as Lockie Ferguson has pulled up fit, and seems set to walk back into the playing XI. Captain Kane Williamson also had a long session in the nets and is expected to return to the playing XI, in which case we could see Will Young go to the bench.
For Pakistan, leggie Abrar Ahmed was seen in the nets as focus remains on Shadab Khan, who suffered his third concussion in 14 months. He could be seen doing some light drills. Pakistan hasn’t come to an official decision yet. Speaking ahead of the match, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur said, “Shadab [Khan] went through a preliminary test today, which you’ve got to do as per medical protocol. He came through that OK, but we’re in no position yet to make a decision on him. Concussion is a really important injury, and we’ve got to be 100% sure before we make a decision. No decision has been made on him at the minute.”
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It will be interesting to see Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s performance against New Zealand. His last five ODI scores against them are 49, 65, 54, 107 and 1, which makes him a threat. But his middle-over numbers aren’t inspiring in this World Cup. He has been striking at only 79.24 in the 11-40th over period and we could see New Zealand using that to their advantage.
Key takeaways as New Zealand take on Pakistan in Bengaluru-
-Kyle Jamieson joins the New Zealand squad as replacement for Matt Henry, who has been injured.
-In ODI World Cup history, both sides have faced each other in nine games, with Pakistan winning seven matches and New Zealand coming out on top on two occasions.
-Pakistan win toss, opt to field.
