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BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan and New Zealand will be playing the 33rd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at the Edgbaston cricket ground on Wednesday.
With just five points and two wins in six matches, Pakistan will be aiming for their third victory in order to keep their hopes alive for the semi-final spot in the World Cup 2019.
Unbeatable New Zealand is top on the table with 11 points so far, while Pakistan, after knocking out South Africa in the last match, is now at the seventh position in the table.
Pakistan had a roller coaster journey so far. They lost their opener against West Indies, defeated tournament favorite England, took a point in the game against Sri Lanka as the rain abandoned the match, and then lost back-to-back games against Australia and India.
Haris Sohail’s return has stabilized the team combination as his brilliant 89 runs on 59 balls played a pivotal role in the win against Proteas.
However,
fielding is a major concern for Pakistani players as they have dropped
14 catches and missed several straight dismissal chances in World Cup
2019 so far, leading the misfield board.
On the other hand, New Zealand has not lost any of its World Cup 2019 till now and are invincible.
Kane
Williamson is currently the highest run-scorer for New Zealand,
followed by Ross Taylor. While openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill
are yet to be seen in their original course of action.
New Zealand has some destructive all-rounders in their line up such as Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme along with the electrifying Trent Boult in their bowling attack, all set ready to hit the top notch against opponents.
Weather Conditions in Birmingham
There will be a light cloud cover and mild breeze with fewer chances of rain.
PAK-NZ ODI stats
Head to head matches: 106
PAK won: 54
NZ won: 48
Tied: 1
No result: 3
Highest total: 369/5 by New Zealand in 2015
Lowest total: 64/10 by New Zealand in 1986
Most runs: 1283 runs in 42 innings by Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK)
Most wickets: 79 wickets in 37 innings by Waqar Younis (PAK)
Squads:
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Shahdab Khan, Mohammed Hafeez, Mohammed Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Aamir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Asif Ali.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell.