New Zealand vs Pakistan, ICC WC 2023, Today Match Prediction 04 November 2023

NZ vs PAK Match Prediction & Analysis

After losing four matches in a row, Pakistan finally picked up a win against beleaguered Bangladesh in Kolkata. That win has kept their World Cup semi-final hopes alive, as they are still in fifth place on the table with 6 points and a net run rate of -0.024.

Pakistan have two matches remaining, against New Zealand and England. While their exact semi-final qualification scenarios depend on many variables, they first need to win their next two games handsomely. Up next for them are the Kiwis, who are on a sudden downward trend after having lost three matches on the trot. Moreover, Pakistan has a great record against them in the ODI World Cup. So, the men in green will be pretty confident of their chances.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

NZ

L L L W W

NZ

167/10 in 35.3 4.7

ICC WC 2023

South Africa beat New Zealand by 190 runs 01 Nov 2023

RSA

357/4 in 50.0 7.14

AUS

388/10 in 49.2 7.87

ICC WC 2023

Australia won by 5 runs 28 Oct 2023

NZ

382/9 in 50.0 7.64

IND

274/6 in 48.0 5.71

ICC WC 2023

India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets 22 Oct 2023

NZ

273/10 in 50.0 5.46

NZ

288/6 in 50.0 5.76

ICC WC 2023

New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 149 runs 18 Oct 2023

AFG

139/10 in 34.4 4.01

NZ

248/2 in 42.5 5.79

ICC WC 2023

New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets 13 Oct 2023

BAN

245/9 in 50.0 4.9

PAK

W L L L L

PAK

205/3 in 32.3 6.31

ICC WC 2023

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets 31 Oct 2023

BAN

204/10 in 45.1 4.52

PAK

270/10 in 46.4 5.79

ICC WC 2023

South Africa beat Pakistan by 1 wickets 27 Oct 2023

RSA

271/9 in 47.2 5.73

PAK

282/7 in 50.0 5.64

ICC WC 2023

Afghanistan won by 8 wickets 23 Oct 2023

AFG

286/2 in 49.0 5.84

AUS

367/9 in 50.0 7.34

ICC WC 2023

Australia beat Pakistan by 62 runs 20 Oct 2023

PAK

305/10 in 45.3 6.7

IND

192/3 in 30.3 6.3

ICC WC 2023

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets 14 Oct 2023

PAK

191/10 in 42.5 4.46

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

Just when everyone had given up hope in Pakistan, they have suddenly found a spring in their step. In their previous game, they thrashed Bangladesh by 7 wickets to set up an emphatic win – their first after four consecutive losses. The win was set up by a terrific bowling performance, led by Shaheen Afridi (3-23) and Mohammad Wasim Jr. (3-31), who helped bundle Bangladesh out for just 204. 

In the chase, Fakhar Zaman, playing his second match of the tournament, smashed 81 off 74 balls and formed a match-winning 128-run opening partnership with Abdullah Shafique. Zaman replaced Imam-ul-Haq in the eleven, and with this performance, he has ensured that he will certainly play the next two games for Pakistan. 

Shafique, too, has been the star batter for Pakistan in the World Cup, and has already accumulated 332 runs in 6 innings at an average of 55.33.

Captain Babar Azam hasn’t really fired so far. However, he is a class batter and will be itching to get a good knock under his belt. We reckon he should get some runs in this match.

Pakistan’s bowling now appears to be finally firing on all cylinders. Shaheen Afridi has now leapt to the top of the bowling charts, with 16 scalps at an average of 19.93. Mohammad Wasim Jr. has been a lethal addition to this attack and is looking better with every game. Haris Rauf (12 wickets at an economy of 6.50) has gone for runs, but he has shown the ability to take regular wickets. 

Pakistan’s biggest issue is the lack of a quality spinner in the middle overs. Usama Mir doesn’t really inspire confidence, and Iftikhar Ahmed is more of a part-timer. If the wicket stays flat, the Kiwi batters will surely belt them for runs.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Devon Conway, Will Young/ Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c & wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry/Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell

Pakistan Preview

New Zealand were looking like the team to beat just a couple of weeks ago. They had won four matches on the bounce and were working like a well-oiled machine. However, a close defeat to India was followed by a heartbreaking 5-run loss to Australia. Now, in their last game, they were absolutely mauled by South Africa, which has put their semi-final prospects in jeopardy.

After winning the toss, New Zealand surprisingly put South Africa in, and they went on to post a mammoth 357-4 on the board. In reply, the Kiwis were bundled out for just 167. That 190-run thrashing has ruined New Zealand’s net run rate; it stands at +0.484 now. 

New Zealand cannot afford any more slip-ups and need to pull up their socks now. 

Rachin Ravindra has been a star for the Kiwis in this World Cup. He is among the top run-getters of the tournament, with 415 runs in 7 innings at an average of 69.16. The left-handed No.3 batter will relish this pitch and is expected to well here.

Daryl Mitchell (279 runs in 7 innings at 46.50) is another one who will have to make an impact here. With Devon Conway completely out of touch over the last few games and Tom Latham having a horrible tournament, the onus will be on Mitchell and Ravindra to put up the big runs.

Glenn Phillips had a good outing in the match against South Africa and went on to score a fluent fifty. Perhaps that knock will now get him some much-needed momentum.

New Zealand’s bowling has been led by Trent Boult (10 wickets in 7 innings at an average of 33.10) and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (14 wickets in 7 innings at an average of 24.35). The others haven’t really stepped up. Furthermore, Lockie Ferguson missed the last match due to injury. If that wasn’t enough, Matt Henry too injured himself during the first innings and it isn’t clear whether he will play the next game.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is generally pretty flat. The ball comes on nicely to the bat, and batters can easily hit through the line once they have spent a little time on the crease. Moreover, the boundaries are short and the outfield is quick, so once the ball clears the infield, it races to the boundary. Fast bowlers will get some help at the start but will have to judiciously use their slower ones.

The weather in Bengaluru will be mostly cloudy, with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

NZ vs PAK Pitch Report

The average first innings score at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium is 260. The highest total posted here is 383-6 by India against Australia in 2013. In this World Cup, Australia blasted 367-9 at this venue against Pakistan after batting first. Pakistan too managed to reach 305 in the chase. The team batting first in this game must target a total of around 350 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Bating first is usually considered to be the better option at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. It’s typically a high-scoring venue, and the team batting first has the best chance of putting up a huge total and batting the opposition out of the game.