The One-Day International series will help Pakistan and New Zealand prepare for the World Cup

With an eye on the World Cup that will be held in India later this year, Pakistan and New Zealand will play each other in the first of three one-day internationals that will take place in Karachi on Monday.

Both teams’ terrible seasons came to an end with the conclusion of the prior test series between the two teams, which took place in Karachi and did not produce a result in either of the two tests played there.

Pakistan was unable to win any of their three Test series that were played on their home soil. They were also defeated in four of the eight tests played, including their very first 3-0 whitewash at the hands of England. In their previous six Tests, New Zealand did not achieve victory even once.

However, Babar Azam is certain that his team will fare well in the limited over contests they will be playing.

“This series offers us with the perfect launching pad to restart our World Cup preparations,” said Azam of the World Cup in October/November, which will take place in Pakistan. “Pakistan has proven themselves to be a good white-ball team,” Azam added.

Azam’s squad was victorious in eight of the nine one-day internationals that were played in 2017, including a series victory at home against a powerful Australia side by a score of 2-1.

Azam expressed his belief that his team would be successful in the upcoming series by saying, “We are a well-rounded side with quality hitters and bowlers who have proven themselves time and again.”

Both pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is rehabilitating from a knee injury incurred in November of last year, and spinning allrounder Shadab Khan, who recently fractured his finger, will not be available for Pakistan. Pakistan’s bowling attack will suffer as a result.

The batting lineup will benefit from the addition of opener Fakhar Zaman as well as Haris Sohail, who has been recalled after a two-year absence.

New Zealand finished in second place at the World Cup in 2019, which was played in 2019, and won ten of their sixteen One-Day Internationals (ODIs) last year. Their powerful unit is led by Kane Williamson.

They have been unbeatable against Pakistan, prevailing in 12 of the most recent 15 one-day internationals (ODIs) played between the two teams.

After stepping down as captain of the Test team, Williamson is currently focusing his attention on the World Cup.

Last month, he was quoted as saying, “I believed that continuing to captain the white-ball formats was better with two World Cups in the next two years,” in reference to the One-Day International World Cup in 2023 and the Twenty Twenty World Cup in 2024.

The skilled hitter was aware of Pakistan’s capabilities.

Williamson stated that “Pakistan is a very powerful side and naturally know these conditions very well.” “Pakistan is a very strong side and naturally know these conditions.”

“For us as a squad, it’s all about focusing on the cricket we want to play and doing our best to put some improved performances out there.”

As a result of an abdominal strain suffered on the penultimate day of the drawn second Test, New Zealand bowler Matt Henry is also unable to participate in one-day internationals.

They are already suffering from the absence of the pace trio of Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Adam Milne due to a variety of factors.

The last two matches are scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Friday in Karachi.

Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, and Blair Tickner were the players for New Zealand. Kane Williamson served as the team’s captain.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir