New Zealand's big test against resurgent Pakistan
| Date | February 14, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Format | T20i |
| Series | Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Kane Williamson has odds of 3.30 to be New Zealand's best batsman
- Babar Azam has odds of 2.75 to be Pakistan's best batsman
- Lockie Ferguson has odds of 3.00 to be New Zealand's best bowler
- Haris Rauf has odds of 2.75 to be Pakistan's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
We are in the final of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025. New Zealand, which has won both its games in the tournament, will take on hosts Pakistan in this game. New Zealand defeated South Africa in the last game and won their league game against Pakistan. The side will look to build on this momentum and win this game to enter the Champion's Trophy with their confidence high. In the last game, Pakistan won against South Africa, and their batsmen are in good form. The Pakistanis play at home and shall start the game with higher odds. It is an important game for both teams, and it will be interesting to see how they approach it.
New Zealand Preview
Mitchell Santner's team has done well in the series, winning both games comfortably. They defeated South Africa by 6 wickets in the last game. However, Rachin Ravindra's injury has been a big shock for the team. The odds have fallen for them on cricket betting apps, and the team will expect a strong show from the senior players.
Devon Conway batted well in the last game, and the team expects a strong show from him and Will Young at the top. Kane Williamson will look to play the anchor's role at No. 3 and be confident after his big hundred in the last game. In the middle order, he must add runs with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham. Glenn Phillips, Michaell Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner are good hitters and strengthen the batting.
William O'Rourke and Matt Henry have a crucial role in this game. They must strike early, as the Pakistanis have a strong batting lineup. Ben Sears has bowled well on these tracks and must do well in the middle overs with Santner. The side lacks depth in the bowling, and the team expects a good show from Michael Bracewell.
Expected Starting XI for New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Ben Sears, William O'Rourke
Pakistan Preview
Mohammad Rizwan's team has stormed into the final with a 6-wicket win against the South Africans. After the bowling attack looked clueless, the batting line-up was strong in a must-win game. They play at home and have higher odds on cricket betting sites. Rizwan would look for a strong show from his bowlers in this game and build momentum for the Champion's Trophy.
Fakhar Zaman is in good form and will look to deliver a strong start in this game with Babar Azam. Rizwan led from the front in the last game, setting up a match-winning stand with Salman Agha. They will look to do well in the middle order with Saud Shakeel. The team expects a strong show in the lower middle order from Tayyab Tahir and Khushdil Shah.
The bowling attack looks in poor shape, and the team needs early strikes from Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to put New Zealand under pressure. Mohammad Hasnain must improve his line and length after the disastrous show in the last game. His and Haris Rauf's spells will be crucial in the middle overs. The side expects good spells in the supporting roles from Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah.
Expected Starting XI for Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
TOSS: To Bat First
Karachi has one of the flattest tracks in the world, and high-scoring games have been the norm at this venue. The teams batting first have put up big scores and won most games. The side winning the toss won't hesitate to bat first.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect clear skies over Karachi. The batting conditions will be good as the ball will come onto the bat nicely, allowing batsmen to play their strokes freely on this track. There won't be much for the bowlers on this surface, and the team batting first will like to have 330 runs on the board.
OUR PREDICTION
New Zealand has done well in the tournament. However, the team is without one of its mainstays in the middle order, who is injured, which is a big setback. They must do well with the ball, as the Pakistanis have their batsmen in good form. Pakistan enjoys a good record at this venue and will have crowds behind them. We expect a close contest, but the Pakistanis have an edge.
Our prediction is for Pakistan to win
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