🏏 World Cup: Match #35: New Zealand vs Pakistan 🏏DT Note: 67 - Page 2

Thank you for the tag di

Pakistan

Leggie Abrar Ahmed was spotted in Pakistan nets, even though all eyes remained on Shadab Khan who had suffered a third concussion episode in 14 months. The Pakistan vice-captain was seen doing light fielding drills and some bowling after a medical assessment, but the management has officially put off the decision until the morning of. Pakistan though might stick with the same XI that helped snap their four-match losing streak against Bangladesh.

Tactics & Strategy: A vital cog in the New Zealand middle-order despite his middling numbers this World Cup, Tom Latham's match-up against Shaheen Afridi would be one to watch-out for. The Kiwi stand-in captain averages a lowly 6.2 against the Pakistan pace spearhead and has been dismissed four times by him already in ODIs. Afridi has in fact been better with the older ball in the middle overs, a phase where he averages 16.2, has a strike rate of 17.1 and has claimed seven wickets between overs 11-40.

Pandya is out of WC and is replaced by Prasidh Krishna

Did you know?

- The only time Pakistan has lost to New Zealand in the last five editions of the World Cup was a heavy 110-run defeat in 2011 in Pallekele.

- Trent Boult is one short of claiming 50 wickets in ODI World Cups while Kane Williamson needs 11 runs to reach 1000-run milestone in the showpiece event.

- Tom Latham is 52 runs away from reaching the 4000 club in ODIs.

- If he returns, Lockie Ferguson needs three scalps to complete 100 ODI wickets. Pakistan's Hasan Ali is only one away.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Shaheen Shah Afridi is now the tournament's joint-second-highest wicket-taker, and while he was primarily taking his wickets at the death, some new-ball scalps did come his way against Bangladesh.

Fakhar Zaman, dropped for his own good after he had lost form and confidence, came back and looked like his vintage self against Bangladesh, hitting seven sixes as he punished both pace and spin with the kind of reckless abandon that made him stand out in Pakistan's top order.

And Mohammad Wasim found prodigious reverse swing at the death.

Today, in this match, New Zealand will try to cling to what they have, while Pakistan will try and snatch it away from them. This World Cup has not had enough close games, but a tense scrap for fourth place could well bring it on.

New Zealand (possible): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 James Neesham, 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Tim Southee/Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult

Fakhar's return to form means he will keep his spot at the top of the order, and while Agha Salman was not required with either bat or ball against Bangladesh, he is expected to keep his place ahead of Nawaz.

Pakistan (probable): 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Agha Salman, 8 Shadab Khan/Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Mohammad Wasim, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Haris Rauf

What they 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. - Mickey Arthur, Pakistan head coach, provides an update on vice-captain

Look, we're a small country, down at the bottom of the earth, and for us it's fighting for every ball, chasing every ball to the boundary, and doing the little things that we can control. The big stuff will look after itself if we're clear on our roles, very detailed with how we go about our business... We're just very proud to represent our country and get stuck in the World Cup and you'll see that by the passion and the way the guys throw themselves around out in the field." - Daryl Mitchell defines the 'BlackCaps way'

Originally posted by: Moonks

Di, Williamson is playing and is the captain, given in hotstar scorecard

Will Kane play? After missing 4 games on the trot due to a thumb injury, skipper Kane Williamson is highly likely to make a return. Given the context and opponent, Williamson will be a much-needed boost for New Zealand if they are to inflate their semis chances. In another good news, Lockie Ferguson - who got injured last week (vs Australia in Dharamsala) - has been deemed fit and is expected to replace the injured Matt Henry. There are also whispers of Kyle Jamieson making his World Cup debut, but we will try and confirm that as soon as we have an official update

Pak won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field