 New Zealand ended their 11 match losing streak with a bang at Wellington, humiliating
Pakistan by nine wickets. New Zealand who started the series as underdogs,
are suddenly out of that frame now. The series is a long one containing six matches
so it is too soon to reach conclusions. The second ODI will be played at Queenstown
on Wednesday, January 26.
Click for Live Score Card of New Zealand Vs Pakistan
New Zealand players promised a frantic show in their build up to World Cup
and they did exactly that in the first ODI.
Batting, bowling and fielding, in all departments New Zealand completely outplayed
Pakistan. Tim Southee was the star of the show picking five wickets and
will be the unquestionable leader of the attack in the Wednesday's ODI.
New Zealand's top order woes breathed a sigh of relief and a shakeup which
saw Brendon McCullum bat down the order is likely to continue throughout
the series. Jesse Ryder, after a disappointing Test series has regained form
when he cracked a 34 ball 55.
Jacob Oram has made an impressive comeback and will be an integral part of
New Zealand attack. The worry however for New Zealand will be the third seamer.
James Franklin filled the spot in the opening game but his batting improvement
has had his bowling efforts compromised. It is likely that New Zealand will
field the same side at Queenstown.
New Zealand have won one of their last five ODIs.
Pakistan made a woeful start to the series. All of a sudden there is a captaincy
debate going on in the Pakistan ranks. Misbah ul Haq, who led Pakistan
to their first series win in four years is tipped to replace Shahid Afridi for
World Cup.
Misbah was the only Pakistan player who played well scoring a 50 in difficult
conditions. This situation is bound to put some extra pressure on Afridi who
hasn't been doing well with the bat or captaincy in recent times.
Pakistan made interesting selection calls as they dropped Umar Gul and played
Sohail Tanvir. It is likely that Umar Gul will come back for the second
ODI and the veteran Shoaib Akhtar will make way for him.
The conditions in Queenstown will suit Umar Gul's bowling while a small ground
will make it difficult for Akhtar to be on target. That is the only expected
change, despite miserable batting performance it is expected that Pakistan will
field play the same batting combinations. Pakistan have a chance to square
the series or slip further down.
Pakistan have won two of their last five ODIs.
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