PAK vs NZ: The much-anticipated ODI Tri-series in Pakistan is set to kick off as Pakistan takes on New Zealand in the opening match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With the Champions Trophy just around the corner, this series serves as a crucial preparatory ground for both teams. The competition follows a single round-robin format, with the top two sides advancing to the final in Karachi.
Match Details
- Fixture: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Match 1
- Date: Saturday, 8th February 2025
- Time: 14:30 local time
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Format: ODI
Head-to-Head Record
| Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | No Result | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 61 | 51 | 1 | 3 | 53.98% |
| New Zealand | 51 | 61 | 1 | 3 | 45.13% |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: Pitch Report
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is known for its batting-friendly conditions, offering good pace and bounce that allows stroke-makers to thrive. The average first-innings score at this venue is 260, indicating a balanced contest between bat and ball. While batters can capitalize on the true surface, spinners often come into play as the game progresses, with the dry nature of the pitch assisting turn. Teams that effectively rotate the strike in the middle overs and handle spin well tend to dominate here.
ODI Statistics at Gaddafi Stadium
- Total Matches Played: 65
- Batting First Wins: 34
- Batting Second Wins: 30
- Tied Matches: 1
- Average First Innings Score: 260
- Highest Team Score: 375/3 (Pakistan)
- Lowest Team Score: 75/10 (Pakistan)
Weather Conditions
The weather forecast for February 8, 2025, in Lahore predicts clear skies with a maximum temperature of 24°C (75°F) and a minimum of 12°C (54°F) in the evening. No rain is expected, ensuring uninterrupted play.
Toss Impact
With a fairly balanced win ratio for teams batting first and second, the toss may not be a decisive factor. However, due to the cooler evening conditions and the possibility of dew, captains might opt to chase, as the ball tends to come onto the bat better under lights.
Head-to-Head: Last 5 Matches
Pakistan won by 21 runs (DLS method) – 04-Nov-2023
New Zealand won by 47 runs – 07-May-2023
Pakistan won by 102 runs – 05-May-2023
Pakistan won by 26 runs – 03-May-2023
Pakistan won by 7 wickets (with 10 balls remaining) – 29-Apr-2023
Pak vs NZ 1st ODI Lineups
Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan (C), Babar Azam, FK Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, S Afridi
New Zealand
Tom Latham (wk), Kane Williamson, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, MS Chapman, WA Young, DJ Mitchell, MJ Henry, Nathan Smith, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (C)
Probable Best Players – Pak vs NZ 1st ODI
Pakistan
- Best Batter: Babar Azam – Pakistan’s premier batter, known for his consistency and elegant stroke play. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes him a key player.
- Best Bowler: Shaheen Afridi – The left-arm pacer is a proven wicket-taker with the new ball and in the death overs. His ability to swing the ball early and execute yorkers makes him Pakistan’s biggest bowling threat.
New Zealand
- Best Batter: Kane Williamson – The backbone of New Zealand’s batting lineup, Williamson’s technique and composure under pressure make him a reliable run-scorer, especially on subcontinent pitches.
- Best Bowler: Mitchell Santner – The New Zealand captain is a crafty left-arm spinner who can exploit Lahore’s conditions, keeping batters in check with his variations and accuracy.
PAK vs NZ 1st ODI Prediction
Scenario 1: Pakistan Batting First
- Projected Score: Pakistan is expected to post a total between 280-300 runs.
- Reasoning: With a solid top order featuring Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan can build a strong foundation. The presence of power hitters like Fakhar Zaman and Agha Salman adds firepower in the middle overs. However, New Zealand’s spinners, especially Mitchell Santner, could slow down the scoring.
Scenario 2: New Zealand Batting First
- Projected Score: New Zealand is likely to set a target between 270-290 runs.
- Reasoning: Kane Williamson and Tom Latham provide stability, while Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips can accelerate the innings. However, Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, could make scoring difficult, especially in the early overs.
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