Pakistan v New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction

New Zealand proved more dangerous side in the ongoing series against Pakistan as compared to Australia who earlier, finished their tour of United Arab Emirates. The Kiwis were dominant in the three Test series that was drawn at 1-1 followed by T20s which also produced the same result. Both sides will fight for their supremacy in the five One Day Internationals which can produce entertaining results. Two nations have played 88 ODIs, the Green Shirts have an edge by winning 51, the Black Caps grabbed 34, one was tied and two produced no result. Misbah-ul-Haq will be the skipper of the home side while Kane Williamson has been handed over the charge to lead the visitors.

Players to watch

Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad have scored heaps of runs in the recently concluded Test and T20 games for the hosts. Their bowling department will be looked after by Mohammad Irfan, Bilawal Bhatti, Sohail Tanvir, Shahid Afridi and Zulfiqar Babar.

The strong batting line up of the Kiwis comprises Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Luke Ronchi. Corey Anderson and Anton Devcich are promising all-rounders while their lethal bowling unit comprises Kyle Mills, Dean Brownlie, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.

Time & Venue

Monday, December 8 @ 11:00 GMT, 15:00 local at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Weather

A clear bright day and smooth evening with the temperatures around 17-29ᵒC.

Toss

The winning captain will send in his batsmen after winning the toss.

The Pitch

The surface will assist the batsmen throughout the game and the bowlers may find it hard to bowl in the last inning because of the dew factor.

Teams

Pakistan – (From) Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Bilawal Bhatti, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar.

New Zealand – (From) Kane Williamson (C), Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor, Dean Brownlie, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori.

Prediction

The Green Shirts will be the favourites to win the encounter.