All you need to know about the three-match one-day international series between Pakistan and New Zealand's men's teams
The three-match One-Day International series between Pakistan and New Zealand.
First ODI: Friday, September 17 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (2.30pm PST, 10.30am BST)
Second ODI: Sunday, September 19 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (2.30pm PST, 10.30am BST)
Third ODI: Tuesday, September 21 – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (2.30pm PST, 10.30am BST)
New Zealand tour Pakistan for the first time since 2003, with all three ODIs to be played in Rawalpindi. Each game begins at 2.30pm local time, meaning much of the action will take place under the floodlights.
Pakistan in training in Rawalpindi
Babar Azam leads a Pakistan side looking to bounce back from a 3-0 series whitewash to a second-string England side in July. He is joined by familiar names such as Mohammed Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan in what is a strong squad.
Also included are four uncapped players - Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood – while Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sohaib Maqsood miss out after being part of the tour to England.
There are recalls for batters Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed as the hosts hope their domestic experience will improve their middle order.
The 20-man squad, rather extensive for a three-match series, allows the hosts the opportunity for experimentation and offers some insurance against Covid-19; spinner Mohammed Nawaz’s positive test last week a reminder of its ever-looming threat.
This will be Pakistan’s first series since Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq took over as interim coaches following the sudden resignations of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis.
New Zealand are coming off a 4-1 T20I series defeat in Bangladesh earlier this month, and an almost identical squad will make the short trip to Pakistan.
The Black Caps, therefore, remain without several regulars due to the IPL and a hectic upcoming schedule.
Usual captain Kane Williamson is not involved because of franchise commitments, alongside Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Lockie Ferguson.
Tom Latham skippers a youthful Black Caps side, featuring three players who made their international debuts in Bangladesh – Cole McConchie, Rachin Ravindra and Ben Sears.
Finn Allen, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel and Blair Tickner are also yet to play an ODI, though Latham, Colin de Grandhomme and Henry Nicholls provide valuable experience.
The series was originally slated as part of the ICC World Cup Super League, which will determine qualification for the 2023 World Cup. However, the absence of the Decision Review System (DRS) mean it will not count towards the competition, after New Zealand rejected playing potentially crucial encounters without the technology.
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mahmood
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel. Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Will Young
New Zealand in a session under lights
Pakistan are heavy favourites with Skybet to take the series at 2/9, while New Zealand 3/1 to come away victorious. A 3-0 win for the hosts is priced at 11/10, with a clean sweep for the hosts is marked at 18/1.
Pakistani authorities have permitted the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to be filled up to 25% capacity for both this series and the subsequent T20 internationals, though only fully vaccinated spectators can attend. The one exception is for those aged 17 or 18, who are required to be at least partially vaccinated. Fans must wear masks at all times and follow bio-secure protocol.
Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Talk Talk 404, BT TV 423, Virgin 504) will broadcast the series in the United Kingdom, with the content available online via its streaming platform Sky Go. Pakistan fans can watch via Ten Sports and PTV Sports, while SKY Sport NZ are showing the matches in New Zealand. Viewers in India can watch the series on Sony Six, and Australian audiences will be able to tune in on Fox Sports and Channel 7. SuperSport will broadcast the matches in South Africa, Flow Sports in the Caribbean, and Willow TV in the United States.